Explorer. He was an Antarctic explorer who served on three major Antarctic expeditions: the "Discovery" (1901 - 1904), the "Terra Nova" (1910 - 1913) and the "Endurance" (1914 - 1916). Most notably, he served with Ernest Shackleton on the "Endurance" voyage in 1914-16. He survived for months on ice floes after his ship was crushed and sank. He rowed one of three small lifeboats between the crushing pack ice to Elephant Island, and inhospitable rock island off the Antarctic peninsula. Then, leaving 22 men behind, sailed with Shackleton and four others in the James Caird, a 21-foot lifeboat 800 miles across the South Atlantic to the island of South Georgia. Having landed on the wrong side of the island, the men had to climb uncharted mountains and traverse glaciers to reach a small whaling station on the other side. Crean went with Shackleton on four attempts to rescue the remaining 22 men stranded on Elephant Island. On the 30th August 1916 on board the Chilean steamer "Yelcho" their mission was finally achieved, and all were saved. He was awarded the "Albert Medal" for bravery. Crean fought in the First World War, and retired from the Navy in 1920 after 27 years of service. Tom Crean spent more time in the Antarctic region than either Scott or Shackleton, and outlived them both.
Explorer. He was an Antarctic explorer who served on three major Antarctic expeditions: the "Discovery" (1901 - 1904), the "Terra Nova" (1910 - 1913) and the "Endurance" (1914 - 1916). Most notably, he served with Ernest Shackleton on the "Endurance" voyage in 1914-16. He survived for months on ice floes after his ship was crushed and sank. He rowed one of three small lifeboats between the crushing pack ice to Elephant Island, and inhospitable rock island off the Antarctic peninsula. Then, leaving 22 men behind, sailed with Shackleton and four others in the James Caird, a 21-foot lifeboat 800 miles across the South Atlantic to the island of South Georgia. Having landed on the wrong side of the island, the men had to climb uncharted mountains and traverse glaciers to reach a small whaling station on the other side. Crean went with Shackleton on four attempts to rescue the remaining 22 men stranded on Elephant Island. On the 30th August 1916 on board the Chilean steamer "Yelcho" their mission was finally achieved, and all were saved. He was awarded the "Albert Medal" for bravery. Crean fought in the First World War, and retired from the Navy in 1920 after 27 years of service. Tom Crean spent more time in the Antarctic region than either Scott or Shackleton, and outlived them both.
Bio by: zenman
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