Getting Out
The crew deeply mourned the loss of the dogs and Mrs. Chippy. Even so, Shackleton was determined to keep them focused on the goal of getting off the ice. He hatched a plan to march the crew over the ice until they reached land. They abandoned this plan after a week had passed and the team only progressed seven miles. The ice was drifting north.
But instead of adding to the danger, there was finally hope; the floe led them into the area of Clarence and Elephant islands. The men could see the land as they drifted along. It was just in time, too. On April 9, the ice floe started to crack. They packed the three salvaged lifeboats and headed toward the island. They were on the open ocean, but the cold, seasickness, and terror were not as strong as the desire to set foot on land.
