You are most welcome, and indeed thank you for your kind words! I found myself immeasurably moved by reading Scott’s journal and letters. His is a story that was once familiar to every Englishman. It deserves to be known to all of us 🙏
I was in sheer disbelief as I was reading Scott's journal. Seeing it all unfold, 'live', over the course of the weeks, as near every force of hardship laid siege to this man's pluck, was like reading the Book of Job made incarnate. Reading on in the vain hope they would make it, and watching him come to terms with the certainty that they will not, moved me like few other written words.
No man may remain numb before such simple yet transcendent nobility 🙏
It takes nobility to truly perceive nobility. Thank you for your unfailingly noble or uplifting selections. May God make us worthy and give us strength to possess and live such heroic fortitude in the face of terrifying adversity. And may God continue to bless your work, which is an embodiment of Phil 4:8
How amazing was this man… these men. They don’t make them like they used to that’s for sure. Along with meticulous competency, extreme courage, and unique adventurousness, Scott demonstrated an unnatural - almost supernatural - attitude toward his and his men’s inevitable deaths. I have never heard a story that embodies the spirit of stoicism so perfectly. His story should be taught to every child.
“Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it naturally happens.” -Epictetus
Well said Madam! It is certainly incumbent upon us, however, to make them like they used to, and honour Scott’s wish:
“I do not regret this journey, which has shown that Englishmen can endure hardships, help one another, and meet death with as great a fortitude as ever in the past”
A story which never fails to move one no matter how often one returns to it. A heroic failure certainly but also a masterclass in leadership, empathy, compassion and integrity which continues to inspire to this day
It is horrifying to think how easily this entire story could never have been known. Thank Heavens Scott kept his journal, and that these papers survived those silent months in the tent! 🙏
Scott’s journals have been a real discovery. There is something extraordinary about watching this all unfold, between optimism and dashed hopes over the course of dozens of diary entries, knowing where it all will end…
I had no idea, I feel like this would make a great character driven movie or mini series.. These men embodied their convictions and died as they lived. May we all bear our own sufferings half as well. Thank you for sharing..
I quite agree! To my knowledge there has not been a big budget depiction of the Terra Nova expedition since 1948’s Scott of the Antarctic. Perhaps in part because, as became fashionable in the postwar era, really from the 1970’s there was a real effort to destroy his reputation.
Thankfully, later calculations vindicated Scott’s assertion that the 1912 summer was a severe anomaly, and the discovery of the orders he had issued in advance regarding dog teams undermined those who claimed he was negligent in preparations.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ biography of Scott is a fine piece, written by one of the few men on Earth who knows firsthand what Scott went through.
May the quiet heroism of these men live on, and live wider yet 🙏
I've only just begun reading this inspiring piece. Wanted to jump down here and leave the following before I continue.
A famous Spanish band from the '80s wrote a song in tribute to Captain Scott, his men, and their expedition. It's called "Héroes de la Antártida." The group is Mecano.
This particular upload of the song puts the music to photos:
We here certainly remember Captain Scott, Evans, Wilson, Bowers and Oates!
Thank you sincerely for introducing me to this. It is moving indeed to see that their story extended beyond the shores of their homeland. Their sacrifice truly touches a universal heroism. God bless Spain, and you my friend!
You do indeed (and eloquently so in your article) remember these men.
You're very welcome for the song. I felt the same about a band noticing and composing this tribute to these heroic men even though they were from a different country and culture. Was touching.
Kind words, James! Bless you as well. Keep up the great work.
It is our honour and privilege to have presented this story to you Steve 🙏 We shall absolutely be drawing upon more inspirational moments from the Heroic Age of Exploration.
A great read, encouragement and challenge. Thank you.
You are most welcome, and indeed thank you for your kind words! I found myself immeasurably moved by reading Scott’s journal and letters. His is a story that was once familiar to every Englishman. It deserves to be known to all of us 🙏
A lamentable blindspot in my education, this moved me to tears! Thank you, truly inspirational
Always a pleasure to hear from you Peter!
I was in sheer disbelief as I was reading Scott's journal. Seeing it all unfold, 'live', over the course of the weeks, as near every force of hardship laid siege to this man's pluck, was like reading the Book of Job made incarnate. Reading on in the vain hope they would make it, and watching him come to terms with the certainty that they will not, moved me like few other written words.
No man may remain numb before such simple yet transcendent nobility 🙏
So many manly tears
It takes nobility to truly perceive nobility. Thank you for your unfailingly noble or uplifting selections. May God make us worthy and give us strength to possess and live such heroic fortitude in the face of terrifying adversity. And may God continue to bless your work, which is an embodiment of Phil 4:8
That truly is a magnificent passage of Philippians. A wholesome ethos of life in but a single sentence!
May He indeed make us worthy of living it, and sharing it 🙏 God bless you and yours, Peter, for the light you bring us, and the world in His Name 🙏
A genuinely moving read. Thanks for the work
Thank you Ben, for taking the time to read it, and honour these extraordinary men by allowing their story into your soul 🙏
How amazing was this man… these men. They don’t make them like they used to that’s for sure. Along with meticulous competency, extreme courage, and unique adventurousness, Scott demonstrated an unnatural - almost supernatural - attitude toward his and his men’s inevitable deaths. I have never heard a story that embodies the spirit of stoicism so perfectly. His story should be taught to every child.
“Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it naturally happens.” -Epictetus
Well said Madam! It is certainly incumbent upon us, however, to make them like they used to, and honour Scott’s wish:
“I do not regret this journey, which has shown that Englishmen can endure hardships, help one another, and meet death with as great a fortitude as ever in the past”
Super well said. Observations to keep in mind as we wade into the Dagoban swamp of the modern world ... Maybe keep some embers of the fire alive ...
A story which never fails to move one no matter how often one returns to it. A heroic failure certainly but also a masterclass in leadership, empathy, compassion and integrity which continues to inspire to this day
It is horrifying to think how easily this entire story could never have been known. Thank Heavens Scott kept his journal, and that these papers survived those silent months in the tent! 🙏
A truly intrepid story with great photos to illustrate the conditions.
Scott’s journals have been a real discovery. There is something extraordinary about watching this all unfold, between optimism and dashed hopes over the course of dozens of diary entries, knowing where it all will end…
I had no idea, I feel like this would make a great character driven movie or mini series.. These men embodied their convictions and died as they lived. May we all bear our own sufferings half as well. Thank you for sharing..
I quite agree! To my knowledge there has not been a big budget depiction of the Terra Nova expedition since 1948’s Scott of the Antarctic. Perhaps in part because, as became fashionable in the postwar era, really from the 1970’s there was a real effort to destroy his reputation.
Thankfully, later calculations vindicated Scott’s assertion that the 1912 summer was a severe anomaly, and the discovery of the orders he had issued in advance regarding dog teams undermined those who claimed he was negligent in preparations.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ biography of Scott is a fine piece, written by one of the few men on Earth who knows firsthand what Scott went through.
May the quiet heroism of these men live on, and live wider yet 🙏
I've only just begun reading this inspiring piece. Wanted to jump down here and leave the following before I continue.
A famous Spanish band from the '80s wrote a song in tribute to Captain Scott, his men, and their expedition. It's called "Héroes de la Antártida." The group is Mecano.
This particular upload of the song puts the music to photos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niPd_SEiFRA
The following lyrics in English were provided by a commenter at YouTube.
---
January the 18th of 1912
Captain Scott, along with
Evans, Wilson, Bowers and Oates,
reaches the South Pole
but fails at being first
in performing this feat.
Feeling exhausted and unsuccessful
they set out on their way back.
February the 16th, South Pole.
Five englishmen through the blue desert.
Evans is the last in line
and sitting on his backpack
is the Reaper willing to show
that once dead
this is not really
a bad place to stay
There was no tombstone
There was an elegy
God save the Queen
Eternal glory to the heroes
of Antarctica
March the 6th, Oates can do no more
His feet feel like two razors made of glass.
Because of crawling in some strechts
his hands are frozen too
but nobody wouldn't ever desert him
And while they are sleeping
he heads out for eternity.
There was no tombstone
There was an elegy
God save the Queen
Eternal glory to the heroes
of Antarctica
March the 30th,
Here is the end of
Bowers, Wilson and Scott's log.
May the aid that never arrived
be sent to those who are still there
Our children, our widows
Like englishmen
the three of us die.
There were no tombstones
There were no elegies
There was no God, nor any Queen either
Only eternal snows
in Antarctica
Whoever remembers Captain Scott,
Evans, Wilson, Bowers and Oates?
Whoever remembers Captain Scott?
Evans, Wilson, Bowers and Oates.
Whoever remembers Captain Scott?
We here certainly remember Captain Scott, Evans, Wilson, Bowers and Oates!
Thank you sincerely for introducing me to this. It is moving indeed to see that their story extended beyond the shores of their homeland. Their sacrifice truly touches a universal heroism. God bless Spain, and you my friend!
You do indeed (and eloquently so in your article) remember these men.
You're very welcome for the song. I felt the same about a band noticing and composing this tribute to these heroic men even though they were from a different country and culture. Was touching.
Kind words, James! Bless you as well. Keep up the great work.
Very interesting read. Thank you.
You are very welcome my friend, I hope in the words and deeds of these men, you found inspiration 🙏
Thanks a million m a fantastic read - perhaps a follow up on other expeditions ?
It is our honour and privilege to have presented this story to you Steve 🙏 We shall absolutely be drawing upon more inspirational moments from the Heroic Age of Exploration.
In the meantime, here is one thematically close!
https://joininvictus.substack.com/p/how-to-pick-your-team?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2vdh6v
Days after the photograph was taken, it hit -40°C. An anomaly in the Antarctic summer that tragically killed every many in this photograph…