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Nimrod Centennial Departure

Nimrod Centennial Departure ©

"Thank you and Goodbye"

 It was with these words Ernest Shackleton departed Lytletton aboard his heavily laden expedition vessel the ‘Nimrod’ at 1600hrs on the 1st of January 1908. Shackleton was headed south on what was to be his most successful expedition, reaching within 100 nautical miles of the South Pole in addition to the first ascent of Mt Erebus and the attainment of the South Magnetic Pole by members of the expedition. It was for the success of the British Antarctic Expedition that Shackleton was knighted.

One hundred years later on the 1st of January 2008 at 1600hrs Heritage Expeditions vessel the ‘Spirit of Enderby’ departed Lyttleton bound for Antarctica on the Nimrod Centenary Expedition. Hundreds of well wishers gathered on the wharf as the hour of departure neared and the tug ‘Lyttleton’ which had escorted the ‘Nimrod’ 100 years before stood at the ready.

The tug ‘Canterbury’ escorted Shackleton and crew aboard the ‘Nimrod’ from the harbour and so it was that the same tug boat today known as ‘Lyttleton’ stood by to escort the ‘Spirit of Enderby’ from port.

At 1600hrs precisely 100 years after the ‘Nimrod’ departed the ‘Spirit of Enderby’ bid farewell and departed for the great white south. The port echoed to the sound of ships horns bidding the expedition farewell and safe passage while those on the wharf cheered her on as the ‘Spirit of Enderby’ eased from the harbour and headed for open waters escorted by the historic tug ‘Lyttleton’ with well wishers aboard.

The previous evening a farewell and celebratory dinner was held on the Lyttleton water front at the premises of Stark Brothers Engineering, many a toast was raised to Shackleton and the forthcoming expedition as all enjoyed a lively evening with a historical overview by polar historian Baden Norris and culminating in the arrival of the New Year.

The bells rang out from Holy Trinity Church for a special service of remembrance and blessing modeled on the service which Shackleton and his men had attended prior to their departure for the south. The passengers and well wishers sang heartily of the same hymns Shackleton’s men had sung and dwelled on the text from Psalm 37, committing their way to the Lord. Led by Rev Neil Struthers the service was followed by a blessing for the ship at the wharf.