Jarlath Cunnane - Building the James Caird Replica & the Unsung Hero of Shackleton’s Expedition

Over one hundred years ago, one of the most compelling adventure and survival stories of all time unfolded in Antarctica: Sir Earnest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctica Expedition of 1914 to 1917. It’s most famous exploit was Shackleton’s plan to sail for rescue to South Georgia, some 1,500 km to the northeast aboard one of Endurance’s lifeboats, the James Caird, with himself as skipper and a crew of five. Amongst the crew was a 40 year old, thrice married, member of the United Free Church of Scotland, one Henry (Harry “Chippy”) McNish.

McNish was a merchant mariner and an excellent ship’s carpenter who was also known to hold strong socialist views. McNish had kept himself busy at the Ocean & Patience camps making modifications to the lifeboats and especially to the largest, the James Caird, when it appeared that the fortunes of the marooned 28 men might depend upon it...

Renowned high latitude sailor, explorer, boat builder and author, Jarlath Cunnane, recounts his building of the James Caird replica within the context of the historical record of Shackleton’s expedition. Jarlath questions why Shackleton excluded McNish from receiving the Polar Medal.