Historic Shackleton Memorial Cross Unveiled at Discovery Point
Dundee Heritage Trust (DHT) has announced that the Sir Ernest Shackleton memorial cross, known as the Hope Cross, will be unveiled to the public at Discovery Point in Dundee on Tuesday 15th October, following a private rededication service on Monday 14th October. The Cross, constructed in 1922 by Shackleton’s Quest crew members, 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).
Visitors to Discovery Point will be able to view the original Hope Cross in the museum, overlooking the RRS Discovery – the Dundee-built ship that first took Shackleton to Antarctica in 1901 – from 10am on Tuesday 15th October, during museum opening hours. The Cross exhibit is included in museum admission or existing annual pass. It will be on show and cared for at Discovery Point on long-term loan from South Georgia Museum, on behalf of the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, who are custodians of the historic artefact.
David Henry, Chair of Dundee Heritage Trust says, “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 says, “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.”
History of the Hope Cross
One of the world’s most famous explorers, Sir Ernest Shackleton died on 5th January 1922, during his fourth Antarctic voyage, the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition. His crew members aboard the Quest constructed the Hope Cross in tribute to their Expedition leader, using wood salvaged from old whaling station buildings. It was positioned in at King Edward Point, South Georgia and remained there for almost 100 years before the decision was made in 2018, by the custodians, to remove the Cross and replace it with a replica, to protect its poignant legacy.
Earlier this year, SGHT approached DHT and proposed the Cross’s display and care at Discovery Point in Dundee alongside Shackleton’s first Antarctic ship, the RRS Discovery, in order that the Cross be shown in an accessible place for the public to view whilst being expertly cared for. 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 says, “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 says, “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.” British Antarctic Survey spokesperson Athena Dinar says, “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.”
British Antarctic Survey spokesperson Athena Dinar says, “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.”
Rededication of the Hope Cross
The Hope Cross will be rededicated at a private ceremony at Discovery Point with Shackleton’s granddaughter Alexandra in attendance, bringing together guests from all over the world, whose ancestors sailed aboard Quest with Sir Ernest Shackleton on his final journey. Susanna Ferrar, descendant of Hartley T. Ferrar (geologist on RRS Discovery’s 1901 Expedition), will play Howard Goodall’s Shackleton’s Cross as part of the private ceremony. The private gathering of descendants, scientists, explorers and influential figures in the Polar community has been sponsored by local technology firm, Shackleton Technologies.
Steve Ross, CEO at Shackleton Technologies says, “We’re absolutely ecstatic to be part of this event. We named our business after Ernest Shackleton for his outstanding leadership skills, and his connection with Dundee. To see Shackleton’s Hope Cross being exhibited at Discovery Point is just brilliant.”
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, kindly 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. The new display has been made possible with thanks to support from funders including the Friends of Dundee Heritage Trust, Falkland Maritime Heritage Trust, the James Caird Society, Anne Strathie, South Georgia Association, and a number of private donors as part of a public fundraising campaign launched earlier this year, which the Trust’s Patrons – Lorraine Kelly CBE, Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Brian Cox – lent their voices to.
Donald Lamont, Chair of Falkland Maritime Heritage Trust says, “The Hope Cross inspires us to know that human beings are capable of extraordinary feats of endurance, ingenuity and determination when faced with apparently insuperable difficulties. The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust is pleased to have supported the Dundee Heritage Trust in bringing the Cross from South Georgia to a place of honour in the City of Discovery.”
The James Caird Society says, “The James Caird Society is dedicated to honouring the outstanding qualities of leadership associated with the name of Sir Ernest Shackleton. It is for this reason that we were pleased to be able to support the preservation of the Hope Cross, constructed by his shipmates from the Quest, after his untimely death on board while anchored in Grytviken, South Georgia.”
South Georgia Association says, “The South Georgia Association are delighted to be able to substantially support the DHT to display the important historical object, Shackleton’s Hope Cross. Having the cross on display in Dundee will help to share the story of Polar Explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton with new audiences and help explain why he is such an important figure in the history of the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia.”
‘Endurance’ Premier in Dundee
The Hope Cross rededication ceremony on October 14th 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 (DCA) cinema, just days after the film’s world premier at the BFI London Film Festival 2024.
In a legendary feat of leadership and perseverance, polar explorer Sir Ernest 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.
The film will be introduced by DHT Chair, David Henry, and DHT Director of Ship, Ali Gellatly.
David Nixon, Head of DCA Cinema says, “We are so excited to share Endurance with our audiences, and being able to make it an extra special event with an introduction from our friends at Dundee Heritage Trust means that Dundee’s Shackleton connections are going to be truly celebrated.”
There are limited tickets remaining for a second showing of Endurance in Dundee at the DCA, on 16th October.
You can now view the Hope Cross in its new home at Discovery Point, overlooking the RRS Discovery – the ship that began Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic story back in 1901.
The Hope Cross exhibit is part of standard museum admission or existing annual pass. Discover the story of early Polar exploration and its legacy, while paying tribute to one of the world’s most famous Polar explorers.
Our collaborators
With many thanks to the Government of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands, South Georgia Heritage Trust and South Georgia Museum for entrusting Dundee Heritage Trust with the care and display of the Hope Cross.
Thank you to British Antarctic Survey for transporting the Hope Cross on its 7,000 mile journey aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough.
Supporters of the Hope Cross
With grateful thanks to:
- The South Georgia Association
- Falkland Maritime Heritage Trust
- The James Caird Society
- Friends of Dundee Heritage Trust
- Jan Chojecki
- Shackleton Technologies
- Loganair
- A number of private donors and supporters
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