# The Last Relief explained — South!

> Chapter companion for South! by Ernest Shackleton.

## What happens

Shackleton arrives in New Zealand in December 1916 to find the relief expedition already organized by the New Zealand Government. The Aurora has been repaired and refitted, and Captain John K. Davis is in command. Shackleton joins the voyage to McMurdo Sound, where they find the seven survivors of the Ross Sea party. A search for the missing men Mackintosh, Spencer-Smith, and Hayward proves fruitless, and a cross is erected in their memory. The Aurora returns to Wellington, where the crew are welcomed.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sacrifice and Duty

The search for the missing men and the erection of a cross highlight the sacrifices made by the Ross Sea party.

### Leadership and Comradeship

Shackleton's coordination with Captain Davis and the survivors demonstrates continued leadership and mutual support.

### Endurance and Perseverance

The survivors' ordeal and the final relief voyage underscore the theme of enduring hardship.

## Character check-ins

### Ernest Shackleton

Arrives in New Zealand and joins the relief expedition, leading shore searches for missing men.

### John K. Davis

Commands the Aurora for the relief voyage, having been placed in command by the governments.

### Lionel Stenhouse

In Wellington, Shackleton praises his seamanship during the Aurora's drift.

### Ernest E. Joyce

Survivor of the Ross Sea party; assists Shackleton in searching for Mackintosh and Hayward.

### Richards

One of the seven survivors found at Cape Evans.

### Stevens

One of the seven survivors found at Cape Evans.

### Frank Wild

Survivor; erects a cross with Jack to the memory of the lost men.

### Aeneas Mackintosh

Presumed dead; search for his body proves fruitless.

## Key lines

> I found that the arrangements for the relief were complete. The New Zealand Government had taken the task in hand earlier in the year, before I had got into touch with the outside world.

Upon arriving in New Zealand, Shackleton discovered that the relief mission had already been fully organized by the New Zealand Government, which had acted before he could communicate with the outside world.

_Shackleton learns that the relief effort was already underway._

> We were welcomed like returned brothers by the New Zealand people.

The crew of the Aurora received a warm, brotherly welcome from the people of New Zealand upon their return.

_The expedition's return was met with great hospitality._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/south_se/chapters/xvii-the-last-relief
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/south_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/south_se/chapters