I know the research vessel that found the Endurance was South African and probably most of the mission to find it was sponsored by them.
I can't remember if the Endurance itself visited South Africa on the way down from England, but I know it was the closest major British colony 100 years ago to that side of the antarctic.
Because it was planned to be a transcontinental journey, there was also an expedition on the otherside that sailed from Australia and then Tasmania. They also had problems, but nothing like the western side.
One of Shackleton's earlier expeditions was also from that end. I'm not sure if they would have sailed the cape or the Suez, both options were open to them.
I know the research vessel that found the Endurance was South African and probably most of the mission to find it was sponsored by them.
I can't remember if the Endurance itself visited South Africa on the way down from England, but I know it was the closest major British colony 100 years ago to that side of the antarctic.
Because it was planned to be a transcontinental journey, there was also an expedition on the otherside that sailed from Australia and then Tasmania. They also had problems, but nothing like the western side.
One of Shackleton's earlier expeditions was also from that end. I'm not sure if they would have sailed the cape or the Suez, both options were open to them.
I am not sure, either. Pehaps I'll try to find out.