Who Can Solve The Shackleton Scribble Mystery?

Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - The Shackleton scribble has remained a mystery for a century. Many attempts have been made to solve the riddle, so far no-one has been successful.

In the archives of the Perth-based Royal Scottish Geographical Society there is a mysterious shorthand message relating to one of the great Antarctic explorers.

The mystery note in shorthand. Image credit: RSGS

In the winter of 1903, upon returning from his very first Antarctic expedition, Sir Ernest Shackleton found himself in need of a job. He applied for a secretary position within the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS), an organization responsible for introducing the latest and most innovative technologies. Among them at the time: the telephone.

While looking through some archive boxes, RSGS society member Jo Woolf has uncovered several handwritten council minutes, several photographs and an annotated map of the Antarctic.

According to the Courier, “in 1903, Shackleton had just returned from his first Antarctic expedition with Captain Robert Falcon Scott on board the Discovery and was seeking employment while planning his next venture.

His CV was beautifully prepared and printed, and contained testimonials from his most influential friends, among them Sir Clements Markham, secretary of the Royal Geographical Society in London who described him as “able, zealous, conscientious and energetic”.

Captain Robert Falcon Scott is quoted as saying that, as his Third Officer, Shackleton was “a marvel of intelligent energy.”

In reality, there was a rivalry between the two explorers, which is elegantly skimmed over in the CV.

Sir Ernest Shackleton. Image credit: RSGS

Scott had sent Shackleton home early from the Antarctic on medical grounds; but Shackleton, protesting his own fitness, regarded this as a slur on his physical capabilities.

His CV makes the best of the incident, drawing attention to his diligence, usefulness, and “indomitable pluck” during the expedition, and noting that the “severe work” of the southern sled journey led to his “breaking a blood vessel”.

The document contains an intriguing mystery as there are shorthand notes written in pencil which the society has been unable to decipher successfully — was this a reaction to Shackleton’s application, comment on his character or a dictated response to his CV?”

Now all readers fascinated in riddles and puzzles have a chance to solve this mystery.

If you believe you’ve solved this century-long mystery or if you have any insight into the meaning behind these enigmatic scribbles, you are encouraged by the RSGS to contact them at [email protected].

Written by: Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com