James Caird

Current boat name

James Caird

Boat class

7633

Function

Service

Type

Length (m / ft)

6.86 / 22ft 6in

Beam (m / ft)

1.09 / 3ft 7in

Leeward

Keel

Masts

2 Wood

Rig type

Lug Ketch

Propulsion

Sail

Designer

Worsley F

Date of build

1912

Place of build

Poplar, London

Present use

Museum/DC

JAMES CAIRD was built by W & J Leslie at Coldharbour, Poplar, London to the specifications of Frank Worsley for use on the ENDURANCE expedition. When it became evident that ENDURANCE could not be saved, JAMES CAIRD was modified in November 1915 by the ship's carpenter, Harry McNeish. Her freeboard was raised by about 15 inches and she was partially decked before being hauled across the ice. After the short sail to Elephant Island in April 1916, McNeish used the mast of another of the ship's boat to strenghen her keel before Shackleton and his colleagues started their journey to South Georgia. In 1919 she was brought back to UK and used for charity and publicity purposes. The boat was presented to Dulwich College in1922 by John Quiller Rowett to whom it was given by Shackleton. It survived a near-miss from a flying bomb in 1944. Restored in 1968 by NMM Greenwich where it was on temporay loan, it was installed on display at Dulwich College in 1989.Since then JAMES CAIRD has been on display at various venues, including the NMM Cornwall in 2007. March 2010 (Picture courtesy of Classic Boat) Significance : Used by Shackleton on the ENDURANCE expedition and the epic voyage from Elephant Island to South Georgia in 1916. Other reading: Dunnett H M Shackleton's Boat 1996 Other reading: Dunnett H G Shackleton's Boat 1996