This is allegedly the text of Ernest Shackleton’s advertisement recruiting men for his next polar expedition.
MEN WANTED for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honor and recognition in case of success.
Ernest Shackleton 4 Burlington st.
Whether this is actually the text of Shackleton’s ad or not, I do not know. I do know that it accurately represents the spirit of the times. It’s very Texan in spirit, actually. Had Ernest Shackleton and William Barret Travis walked the earth at the same time and ever had the chance to meet, they’d have undoubtedly been great friends. The ad makes no mention of insurance, liability, pensions, or benefits. It’s simply an appeal to man’s innate desire for adventure, danger, opportunity to demonstrate courage, and the possibility of earning glory.
I wonder what response such an ad would garner today? Culturally we are more risk averse, liability concerned, and afraid of the unknown than people seem to have been in the times of Shackleton and Travis. But if I had to make a wager, I would bet placing that ad in a few papers across Texas would generate responses from men of the same caliber as those who joined Shackleton in the Antarctic.
HT Ace of Spades for the link.