Shackleton
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:46 am
This stamp depicts the latest vessel (in 1963) to serve in the British Antarctic area, R.R.S. Shackleton, the second ship of the name. The earlier ship was H.M.S. Sharpshooter, renamed Shackleton in 1953 and replaced by the present vessel, built in 1954 at Solvesborg, Sweden, as the motorship Arendal, for the Arendal Shipping Co., Norway. A vessel of 590 gross tons, she is propelled by a M.A.N. oil engine fitted aft. Her hull is constructed of in. thick steel plate.
Bought by the Falkland Islands Dependencies Government in 1955 and renamed Shackleton, she left Southampton on her first Antarctic voyage on December 29 of that year. She was very much in the news during her second season in the Antarctic, for on November 30, 1957 at 6.55 a.m. the British whaling factory ship Southern Harvester wirelessed: "Following received from British motor survey ship Shackleton SOS. Am in trouble. My position lat. 60.23 5., long. 45.26 W., heading for Uruguay Cove, Laurie Island for beaching. Hit an ice-floe at speed. At 5.46 water nearly up to `tween decks and boats out. Cargo floating."
The Shackleton made the cove at Laurie Island, where temporary repairs were carried out. She was joined by H.M.S. Protector and the whaler Southern Lily. The scientists on board the Shackleton were transferred to the warship and salvage gear and a shipwright to assist with the repairs were sent in return. Repairs were completed at South Georgia and the ship returned to Port Stanley, F.I., before going south to complete her programme. It was subsequently announced that the Shackleton should not be committed to ice in the future.
Brit Ant Terr SG14 37 226 Hong Kong SG?
Bought by the Falkland Islands Dependencies Government in 1955 and renamed Shackleton, she left Southampton on her first Antarctic voyage on December 29 of that year. She was very much in the news during her second season in the Antarctic, for on November 30, 1957 at 6.55 a.m. the British whaling factory ship Southern Harvester wirelessed: "Following received from British motor survey ship Shackleton SOS. Am in trouble. My position lat. 60.23 5., long. 45.26 W., heading for Uruguay Cove, Laurie Island for beaching. Hit an ice-floe at speed. At 5.46 water nearly up to `tween decks and boats out. Cargo floating."
The Shackleton made the cove at Laurie Island, where temporary repairs were carried out. She was joined by H.M.S. Protector and the whaler Southern Lily. The scientists on board the Shackleton were transferred to the warship and salvage gear and a shipwright to assist with the repairs were sent in return. Repairs were completed at South Georgia and the ship returned to Port Stanley, F.I., before going south to complete her programme. It was subsequently announced that the Shackleton should not be committed to ice in the future.
Brit Ant Terr SG14 37 226 Hong Kong SG?