Norfolk parent ‘excited’ by new Shackleton TV documentary

A distant relative of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton says a new TV documentary could shed light on his adventures.

During his Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, Shackleton and his crew had to heroically escape on foot and in small boats after the ship Endurance was crushed by sea ice.

Endurance, due to be released Friday by National Geographic, follows the divers who discovered the lost ship, which sank in November 1915.

Georgia Shackleton, from Norfolk, who claims to have shared ancestry with Ernest, said: “It’s going to be really exciting to see the images of Endurance and people trying to talk about it.”

She said: “It’s always amazing to hear about Shackleton’s fight.

“I’m really looking forward to hearing the stories and seeing (expedition photographer) Frank Hurley’s images recolored.

“I think it will allow people today to identify with the struggle and difficulties they were going through.

“But I also really want to learn the story of the people who tried to reassemble the boat after it was discovered. I think it will be fascinating.”

She and her partner Aaron Bennett play in a folk group called The Shackleton Trio. Their repertoire includes songs written by the explorer.

Miss Shackleton, who said their shared ancestry dates back to the 17th century, said she believed she and Ernest shared some traits, adding: “There are certainly strong Shackleton characteristics that have run through the line.

“I think Shackleton and his team would have really liked to see the story told in as much detail as possible… trying to bring it into line with what they might do today if they were envy.

“I think they could do a lot to combat the climate, raise awareness and save our poor and dwindling marine life.

“Anything that celebrates the era of polar expeditions, I think they would encourage that.”