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Doug wrote:

>I aggree with Worsley's feat as also the best example of navigation.I get
>shivers up my spine whenever I read or hear about that whole expedition
and
>its'great ending for all.What an accomplishment for shakleton and
>Worsely.One thing I didn't like was that the boatmaker never got his
medal
>because of his argument with Sir Ernest.He should have been awarded it.

Robert responds,

If you read the various biographies of the noted polar explorers you will
find that they were mostly cut from the same cloth; albeit with different
degrees of competency. They all had big egos, bad tempers and demanded
absolute and unquestioning loyalty from their men.

Roald Amundsen, whom I consider to be the greatest ever polar explorer,
had a huge blowup with one of his more experienced men -- Johanssen --
during his South Pole expedition. Amundsen did not like having his
authority being questioned, nor was he comfortable in having anyone
around him who, due to their experience, threatened his supremacy in that
field. Johanssen was pressed upon Amundsen by Frijtof Nansen. To make a
long story short, Johanssen berated Amundsen after a particularly bad
false start towards the pole, where the team had to retreat back to their
base camp due to weather, frostbite and generally bad conditions.
Amundsen raced back to camp leaving Johanssen a day or so behind. Upon
his return, Amundsen made some comment to Johanssen to the effect
of "what took you so long?" whereupon Johanssen lit into him with full
fury, questioning his leadership and his competency.

Amundsen never spoke to Johanssen again -- not even to pass the salt --
and removed Johanssen from the South Pole assault. Amundsen further
isolated Johanssen by having each of the men sign a declaration of 100%
allegiance to Amundsen. Amundsen never forgave Johanssen.

Robert Peary was the same type of guy; only even more brutal and nasty.
Robert Scott was also a martinet and unforgiving of anyone who questioned
his authority. He and Shackelton did not get along at all.

But I've gotten way off topic. This haslittle to do with navigation. My
apologies to the list for the ramble.

Robert
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