On Sunday afternoon I took the ship off Margate, growing hourly more anxious as the ever-increasing rumours spread; and on Monday morning I went ashore and read in the morning paper the order for general mobilization.
I immediately went on board and mustered all hands and told them that I proposed to send a telegram to the Admiralty offering the ships, stores, and, if they agreed, our own services to the country in the event of war breaking out.

All hands immediately agreed, and I sent off a telegram in which everything was placed at the disposal of the Admiralty.

We only asked that, in the event of the declaration of war, the Expedition might be considered as a single unit, so as to preserve its homogeneity.

There were enough trained and experienced men amongst us to man a destroyer.

Within an hour I received a laconic wire from the Admiralty saying "Proceed." Within two hours a longer wire came from Mr.Winston Churchill, in which we were thanked for our offer, and saying that the authorities desired that the Expedition, which had the full sanction and support of the Scientific and Geographical Societies, should go on.
So, according to these definite instructions, the 'Endurance' sailed to Plymouth.