Shackleton's 'Quest' (?)

Medium includes graphite. This drawing of a small steam auxiliary sailing ship seen from astern, flying the white ensign, is inscribed lower left 'Shackleton'. Though the name on the counter is indistinct it is of five letters suggesting it shows the 125-ton former sealer 'Quest', in which he made his last Antarctic departure from London in 21 September 1921 calling at Plymouth, which is the likely location. The expedition, of which the aims were rather vague, was largely financed by Shackleton's wealthy former school friend John Quiller Rowett, but got only as far as Grytviken, South Georgia, on 4 January 1922. In the early hours of the following morning Shackleton - who had not been well even when they started and had long concealed a weak heart - died on board, aged 47, of a heart attack. Though his body was sent home escorted by Leonard Hussey, it only reached Montevideo, where Hussey received instructions from Shackleton's wife to turn back and bury him where she was sure he wished to lie, in the far South. He was buried on 5 March 1922 in Norwegian whalers' cemetery at Grytviken. [PvdM 4/12]

Object Details

ID: PAE2116
Collection: Fine art
Type: Drawing
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Wyllie, William Lionel
Vessels: Quest?; Shackelton ?
Date made: circa 1921
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: 455 mm x 320 mm