He telephoned to Mr.Harding, the manager of the Falkland Islands station, and I learned, to my keen regret, that no ship of the type required was available at the islands.

That evening I cabled to London a message to His Majesty the King, the first account of the loss of the 'Endurance' and the subsequent adventures of the Expedition.

The next day I received the following message from the King: "Rejoice to hear of your safe arrival in the Falkland Islands and trust your comrades on Elephant Island may soon be rescued.
"GEORGE R.I." The events of the days that followed our arrival at the Falkland Islands I will not attempt to describe in detail.

My mind was bent upon the rescue of the party on Elephant Island at the earliest possible moment.

Winter was advancing, and I was fully conscious that the lives of some of my comrades might be the price of unnecessary delay.