“Troopin’, Troopin’, Troopin’ to the Sea” “O.H.M.S.” An Illustrated Record of the voyage of the S.S. “Tintagel Castle”

Sir Ernest SHACKLETON & W. MCLEAN.

“Troopin’, Troopin’, Troopin’ to the Sea” “O.H.M.S.” An Illustrated Record of the voyage of the S.S. “Tintagel Castle” conveying twelve hundred soldiers from Southampton to Cape Town March 1900. London: [printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney, published by] Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., Limited, 1900. Quarto (11 ¼ x 7 5/8in; 286 x 193mm). Pp. [1-10-]11-59[-60]. Title in red and black, half-tone illustrations throughout. (Text-block detached from binding, pp.29-32 loosely inserted within this text block.). Original pictorial boards (backstrip lacking, extremities rubbed, light surface damage to upper cover).

A rare work: whilst this work is interesting as a contemporary account of “how 1200 Soldiers went to Table Bay” (to quote the titling on the cover), it’s primary importance is as Ernest Shackleton’s first substantial printed work. It also stands as a record of a pivotal event in his career: Ernest  Shackleton was Third Officer aboard the Tintagel Castle.  It was on this voyage that Shackleton met Lt. Cedric Longstaff, of the 2nd. East Surrey Regt., his father Llewellyn was the principal financial backer of the National Antarctic Expedition. Shackleton used his acquaintance with Cedric to obtain an interview with his father who recommended him to Sir Clement Markham for a place on Scott's Discovery Expedition thus starting Shackleton's Polar career.