Ernest Shackleton is a well-known explorer who first led the Nimrod Expedition back in 1907. He was one of the first people who climbed Mount Erebus in Antarctica also known as "the most active volcano on Earth." But Shackleton earned fame when he saved his crew men when a ship dubbed as "The Endurance" was damaged by ice in Antarctica.
Recently doctors suggest that the great explorer might've suffered from a hole in his heart during his reign as an adventurer. Historians stated that Shackleton sometimes collapsed during his voyages but tend to not talk about it.
Dr. Ian Calder and Dr. Jan Till are the two doctors from Royal Brompton Hospital in London who revealed Shackelton's secret. According to their research, Shackleton's condition would have never allowed him to travel.
"In our health-and-safety- conscious world, Shackleton would never have been allowed to travel. Some people may feel that Sir Ernest was irresponsible in undertaking the leadership of Antarctic expeditions if he suspected a problem, but we cannot judge him by modern standards. Nothing was going to stop Shackleton. He was a brave man and a great leader, who kept his men together when they needed him most after the Endurance sank" quipped the doctors.
Shackelton's granddaughter, Alexandra Shackleton, has chimed in on the discovery in a recent interview. According to her, there is a possibility that her grandfather knew he was sick. However, Alexandra reveals that Ernest has never gone to a specialist. Alexandra says that her grandfather might have been deathly terrified of his secret coming out. He was scared of running the risk of not being able to travel the world.
Shackelton lived by his family motto engraved in his heart. Despite having a very grave heart condition Shackelton managed to conquer all the milestones ultimately making him one of the most respectable explorers during his time.