Hell on Water (Chapters 1-3 of Part VI)

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage
Alfred Lansing

"It was obvious that the burden of responsibility Shackleton had borne for sixteen months had nibbled away somewhat at his enormous self-confidence."
page 220

Now, for the increase of tension I presume, Lansing describes the events experienced by Shackleton's group while the other group was surviving on Elephant Island.  The sea-going group's experience can be fairly accurately described in one word: hell.

It's appropriate because it's a sea of fire.

 

The group was living in constant misery; water was constantly splashing into the boat, fixed positions caused stiff joints and made worse preexisting conditions, deer hair from sleeping bags got everywhere, and there was a constant stench from a slime in the sleeping bags.  However, not everything was unfavorable.  Since Shackleton was responsible for getting his crew into and out of this hell, he was under just about the most immense pressure anyone could ever endure.  This pressure, which seemed to culminate in, the miseries of the voyage in the Caird, had changed his personality for the better.  He became less self-centered.  The vast responsibility put on him made him realize that the lives of his crew, and anyone for that matter, should be prioritized over honor.  This made him a more caring and contributing individual.

A similar situation is found in The Lord of the Rings series (I had to even out The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter references).  From the earliest days of the Fellowship of the Ring, there was considerable tension between Legolas, an elf, and Gimli, a dwarf.  At that point in time, there had been an ancient hatred between the two races.  Although this hatred resulted mainly from mistrust, a sense of superiority developed in both races which was especially strong in Legolas and Gimli.  However, as a result of overcoming life-threatening obstacles together, Legolas and Gimli abandoned the ancient feud and embraced an open friendship.  Like Shackleton, both Legolas and Gimli abandoned their egos after overcoming hardships and prioritized the protection of friends.

Does that not just make your heart melt?

 

Although conditions on the boat were abysmal, it was seeming that the group was going to be able to reach South Georgia and, by extension, the rescue of the rest of the crew.  However, as we have seen in this story before, the sea is always unpredictable.