Frank Hurley's Endurance photographs published in new high-definition scans
A new publication titled 'The Endurance Photographs' showcases Frank Hurley's renowned visuals from Ernest Shackleton's Trans-Antarctic expedition of 1914–17, offering an extraordinary level of detail through high-definition scans of original glass-plate negatives. Released by Riverside Press in partnership with the Royal Geographical Society, this book uncovers hidden elements, including a sixth crew member obscured by smoke in 'The Nightwatchman’s Story.' Hurley, who had previously been the official photographer for the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911–1913), often endangered himself for compelling images, even climbing the top-gallant yard arm. After the Endurance was trapped by ice in the Weddell Sea, the 28 crew members faced a grueling 10-month journey until their rescue from Elephant Island. Hurley managed to save some fragile negatives but lost 400 others to the ice. The 2015 digitisation process revealed details that had been previously unseen.
Key facts
- The Endurance Photographs is published by Riverside Press in collaboration with the Royal Geographical Society.
- The book features new high-definition scans of Frank Hurley's original glass-plate negatives.
- The Endurance was crushed by ice in the Weddell Sea during the 1914–17 Trans-Antarctic expedition.
- 28 expedition members survived a 10-month trek over ice and sea until rescue from Elephant Island.
- Frank Hurley was official photographer on the Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911–1913.
- Hurley often put himself in dangerous situations to achieve the best photographs.
- Digitisation in 2015 revealed a sixth crew member hidden behind smoke in 'The Nightwatchman’s Story'.
- Hurley smashed 400 glass-plate negatives on the ice to save weight.
Entities
Artists
- Frank Hurley
- Ernest Shackleton
- Frank Wild
- Tom Crean
- Leonard Hussey
- Frank Worsley
- Reginald James
- Alexander Macklin
- Alexandra Shackleton
Institutions
- Riverside Press
- Royal Geographical Society
Locations
- Weddell Sea
- Elephant Island
- South Georgia
- Southern Ocean