So, according to these definite instructions, the ‘Endurance’ sailed to Plymouth.  On Tuesday the King sent for me and handed me the Union Jack to carry on the Expedition.  That night, at midnight, war broke out.  On the following Saturday, August 8, the ‘Endurance’ sailed from Plymouth, obeying the direct order of the Admiralty.  I make particular reference to this phase of the Expedition as I am aware that there was a certain amount of criticism of the Expedition having left the country, and regarding this I wish further to add that the preparation of the Expedition had been proceeding for over a year, and large sums of money had been spent.  We offered to give the Expedition up without even consulting the donors of this money, and but few thought that the war would last through these five years and involve the whole world.  The Expedition was not going on a peaceful cruise to the South Sea Islands, but to a most dangerous, difficult, and strenuous work that has nearly always involved a certain percentage of loss of life.  Finally, when the Expedition did return, practically the whole of those members who had come unscathed through the dangers of the Antarctic took their places in the wider field of battle, and the percentage of casualties amongst the members of this Expedition is high.

The voyage out to Buenos Ayres was uneventful, and on October 26 we sailed from that port for South Georgia, the most southerly outpost of the British Empire.  Here, for a month, we were engaged in final preparation.  The last we heard of the war was when we left Buenos Ayres.  Then the Russian Steam-Roller was advancing.  According to many the war would be over within six months.  And so we left, not without regret that we could not take our place there, but secure in the knowledge that we were taking part in a strenuous campaign for the credit of our country.

Apart from private individuals and societies I here acknowledge most gratefully the assistance rendered by the Dominion Government of New Zealand and the Commonwealth Government of Australia at the start of the Ross Sea section of the Expedition; and to the people of New Zealand and the Dominion Government I tender my most grateful thanks for their continued help, which was invaluable during the dark days before the relief of the Ross Sea Party.

Mr. James Allen (acting Premier), the late Mr. McNab (Minister of Marine), Mr. Leonard Tripp, Mr. Mabin, and Mr. Toogood, and many others have laid me under a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.

This is also the opportunity for me to thank the Uruguayan Government for their generous assistance in placing the government trawler, ‘Instituto de Pesca’, for the second attempt at the relief of my men on Elephant Island.

Finally, it was the Chilian Government that was directly responsible for the rescue of my comrades.  This southern Republic was unwearied in its efforts to make a successful rescue, and the gratitude of our whole party is due to them.  I especially mention the sympathetic attitude of Admiral Muñoz Hurtado, head of the Chilian Navy, and Captain Luis Pardo, who commanded the ‘Yelcho’ on our last and successful venture.