To mark the 150th anniversary of polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton's birth, a memorial will be moved more than seven million miles to Dundee.
The wooden cross at Shackleton's Hope Point memorial will soon be on display at Discovery Point Museum in Dundee, where the Royal Research Ship (RRS) Discovery, which first took Shackleton to the Antarctic in 1901, is kept. .
Shackleton was born in Kilkea, Ireland in 1874, and died in January 1922 at the age of 47 from a heart attack aboard the expedition ship Quest off the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia in the southern Atlantic Ocean.
The crew of the Shackleton-Rowett expedition erected a memorial at Hope Point, close to his final resting place in Grytviken cemetery.
The Hope Cross was built at the nearby Grytviken whaling station by the crew who were unable to attend the funeral of the expedition leader, whom they called Boss.
A commemorative cairn and cross allowed them to place a signed group photo between the rocks and pay their respects.
The cross, made from wood salvaged from a nearby whaling station, stood at Hope Point for nearly 100 years until a decision was made in 2018 to remove it for preservation and replace it with a replica.
Earlier this year, the cross, which is around 3m high and weighs around 30kg, was loaded onto the RRS Sir David Attenborough to begin its 7,000-mile journey, arriving in Dundee in August, where it will be used for service. Activities will be held. It was held to commemorate the arrival of RRS Discovery at its home base.
Bringing the commemorative cross to Dundee is a collaboration between Dundee Heritage Trust (DHT), South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT), British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Government (GSGSSI). Masu.
DHT is appealing for £10,000 to help maintain the cross at Discovery Point.
Laura Willis, chief executive of the island's government, said: “This unique object has been preserved through generations of whalers, adventurers, ecologists and conservationists since its discovery almost 300 years ago. It embodies the spirit of exploration and perseverance that has characterized the islands of the world.” It continues to push the frontiers of knowledge about subpolar regions to this day.
“Exhibiting to a wider audience provides an opportunity for visitors, enthusiasts, and future generations to reflect on and appreciate the enduring legacy of one of the world's greatest explorers and the indomitable strength of the human spirit.” I hope that.”
Alison Neal, CEO of SGHT, said: “When South Georgia's original hope cross is replaced in 2021, it will welcome more than 15,000 annual visitors to the sub-Antarctic island from the public. An opportunity has arisen to share Hope Cross with others.
“We at SGHT and South Georgia Museum are thrilled to be managing Hope Cross as part of the Discovery Point Collection in Dundee, with all its links to Sir Ernest Shackleton.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for many people to encounter the cross and be inspired by their love and loyalty to ‘The Boss’ for whom a monument to him was created and erected by his crew.
“We are grateful to GSGSSI, DHT and BAS for supporting the preservation of this iconic part of Shackleton’s heritage and would like to take this opportunity for the public to see the cross and appreciate its preservation. I hope you will support us.”
Emma Halford-Forbes, Director of Heritage and Exhibitions at DHT, said:
“Looking ahead, we have exciting plans for the capital redevelopment of Discovery Point, including a new permanent polar exhibit, Drawn to the Pole.
“Our plans are to display Hope Cross as part of this new gallery, making it accessible to a wider audience and providing an opportunity for respect and reflection to pause and remember not just Shackleton, but all past Antarctic explorers. It’s about creating.”
