These images were almost lost to icy waters— instead they made the Endurance crew legends
Expedition photographer Frank Hurley’s visuals have become timeless classics of their own, ensuring the story lives on a century later.
By Nick Martin
November 1, 2024
The images are well-known now. In one, ice blocks surround the famous three-masted ship, as grinning crew members and thick-furred dogs mill about a makeshift Antarctic camp. The scene belies the drama that went into saving the footage and photographs taken by Endurance photographer Frank Hurley.
After the crippled vessel began to take on water, Hurley braved the flooding inner cabins to retrieve the negatives—glass plate, celluloid, and nitrate motion picture—which he had stored in a photography box that was itself stored within two tin boxes to protect from water. In the following months, the negatives traveled with the men across the ice and then over the sea to Elephant Island, where Hurley and the crew survived for four months before being rescued.
The Endurance crew’s story was enshrined in legend thanks in part to photographer Frank Hurley’s decision that his work would make it home too. Many of his glass plates, like this one, are now held by the Royal Geographical Society, in London.
Photograph by Tom Jamieson
Hurley wasted no time making his photos and filmed footage public. Following the crew’s return, he directed the 1919 film South, which detailed the journey and wildlife of Antarctica. Hurley’s nitrate motion picture negatives are held by the BFI National Archive.
Photograph by Tom Jamieson
Today nearly 150 glass plates and 39 celluloid negatives are held by the Royal Geographical Society, in London. Jamie Owen, tasked with managing and preserving the organization’s extensive photographic collection, marvels at their condition. “If you leave out the preservation side of it, this almost perfect state they’re in at the moment is amazing, given the journey they’ve been on,” he says.
RGS has digitized the collection to ensure that the public can view the images. But the originals are untouched. In fact, short of the rare royal dignitary, National Geographic is the only institution to have been granted direct access to Hurley’s glass plates for the sake of this story and the documentary.
Read the full findings at
National Geographic Magazine - January 2025
The Hunt for the Endurance
Find out other interesting topies at
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
-
Prices are inclusive of 9% GST and delivery.
-
Free delivery is only applicable for delivery to Singapore addresses.
-
All purchases are non-refundable.
-
Please allow 3 working days to process and confirm your order
-
Delivery will be within a week from your order's confirmation.