Nimrod Expedition

The British Antarctic Expedition 1907–09 was also called the Nimrod Expedition. It was the first of three expeditions to the Antarctic led by Ernest Shackleton. The purpose of the journey was to reach the South Pole. They did not reach the South Pole. They had to turn back, 180.6 kilometers (112.2 miles) away from their destination. This was much nearer the Pole than anyone else had come. The group was also the first to climb Mount Erebus.

The group returned as heroes. Shackleton received many awards. These included a knighthood from King Edward VIII. Three years later, a group led by Roald Amundsen was first to arrive at the South Pole.

Nimrod Expedition Media

• 

  Jameson Adams, Frank Wild and Eric Marshall (from left to right) plant the Union Jack at their southernmost position, 88° 23', on 9 January 1909. The photograph was taken by expedition leader Ernest Shackleton.

• 

  The expedition's ship Nimrod departing for the South Pole

• 

  Edgeworth David, who headed the scientific team

• 

  Crop of Robert Falcon Scott in full regalia: this was reproduced as a frontispiece for Scott's The Voyage of the Discovery (London 1905)

• 

  Aerial view of Mount Erebus crater, Ross Island, Antarctica

• 

  Wild, Shackleton, Marshall and Adams aboard Nimrod after their southern journey