Following Sir Ernest Shackleton’s untimely passing in January 1922 during his fourth Antarctic voyage, the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition, his crew members aboard the Quest built a memorial cairn at Hope Point, overlooking Grytviken whaling station.
Erected atop the cairn was The Hope Cross, crafted from wood salvaged from an old whaling station. It remained there until 2018, when the decision was made by its custodians to remove it and replace it with a replica to protect its poignant legacy.
Now, having weathered the elements for almost 100 years, The Hope Cross will be unveiled to the public on Tuesday at its new home at Dundee's Discovery Point alongside Shackleton’s first Antarctic ship, the RRS Discovery – the Dundee-built ship that first took Shackleton to Antarctica in 1901.
It has travelled over 7,000 miles from South Georgia as part of a collaboration between Dundee Heritage Trust (DHT), South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT), the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI), and with thanks to British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
The Hope Cross will be unveiled to the public on Tuesday, following a private rededication service at Discovery Point with Shackleton’s granddaughter Alexandra in attendance. The ceremony will bring together guests from all over the world, whose ancestors sailed aboard Quest with Sir Ernest Shackleton on his final journey.
READ MORE: Cross erected in memory of explorer Shackleton to travel 7,000 miles to Scotland
The Hope Cross - measuring almost three metres tall and weighing approximately 30 kilogrammes - will be on show and cared for at Discovery Point on long-term loan from South Georgia Museum, on behalf of GSGSSI, who are custodians of the historic artefact.
David Henry, Chair of DHT, said: “The Royal Research Ship Discovery attracts thousands of visitors each year to Dundee from all around the world. It is a privilege to have this important piece of Antarctic heritage within our care. Shackleton's star seems to shine ever more brightly as the years roll by.
"Now many more people will be able to pay their respects to this inspirational figure who had strong associations with the city of Discovery.”
Hon. Alexandra Shackleton said: “I am absolutely delighted to see the cross here in a city that my grandfather knew so well. It has been a fantastic effort by many organisations, including Dundee Heritage Trust, to bring it here safely from so far away. Our family is very grateful to all who have made this possible.
The exhibition in Dundee also contributes to the GSGSSI's aim that the public benefit from heritage objects on South Georgia and they be brought to a wider audience; not just those visiting South Georgia.
The Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands said: “It has been a great privilege to work with partners across the world to facilitate the display of the original Hope Cross overlooking the RRS Discovery in Dundee.
"Much of the Government’s work focuses on the protection and preservation of the natural environment, and alongside this we have the duty of protecting, preserving and sharing the broad cultural stories that South Georgia has to offer.
"We hope that this new display will continue to bring into public view the history of the islands and their ongoing role in exploration, scientific endeavour and significant conservation work.”
Alison Neil, CEO of SGHT said: “The South Georgia Heritage Trust and South Georgia Museum are thrilled to partner with DHT, BAS and the GSGSSI, to bring the Hope Cross 7000 miles from the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia to Discovery Point, Dundee.
"We hope that the unveiling of the Cross in October brings to light the close links between Dundee, Shackleton and South Georgia, and that under the expert care of DHT’s curatorial team, the Cross inspires a wider audience with Shackleton’s unselfish leadership and determination in the face of adversity.”
READ MORE: Ernest Shackleton's lost 1915 ship Endurance found in Antarctica
British Antarctic Survey spokesperson Athena Dinar added: “We were delighted to play a small part in enabling the Shackleton Hope Cross to get back to the UK and to be on display to engage the public in Shackleton’s epic expedition to the frozen south.”
The new exhibit at Discovery Point offers visitors from all over the world an opportunity to pay tribute to one of the most recognisable figures in Polar exploration and reflect on the legacy of Expeditions during the early era aboard the RRS Discovery and more.
Alongside the Hope Cross exhibition sits some of the earliest photography of the Hope Cross at Grytviken, provided to Dundee Heritage Trust by Jan Chojecki, whose grandfather John Quiller Rowett - a school friend of Ernest Shackleton - funded the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition of 1921.
Meanwhile, The Hope Cross rededication ceremony coincides with a special screening of Endurance, the National Geographic film directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin and Natalie Hewit at the Dundee Contemporary Arts cinema, just days after the film’s world premier at the BFI London Film Festival 2024.
In a legendary feat of leadership and perseverance, Shackleton kept his crew of 27 men alive for over a year despite the loss of their ship in frigid pack ice. Over a century later, a team of modern-day explorers sets out to find the sunken ship. Endurance tells the inspiring stories of these two landmark expeditions, bound by their shared grit and determination.
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