August 1, 1914

Saturday

The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition had received its funding; Endurance was outfitted and fully crewed. However dark times were spreading over Europe. Political tensions between nations were rising. On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated, making war inevitable.

King George V, King of the United Kingdom, was meant to come to inspect Endurance during Cowes Week (a British regatta). However, on August 1, 1914, word reached Sir Ernest Shackleton that the King was too busy engaged in other duties. On this day Germany also declared war on Russia. With no further reason to stay docked, Endurance departs from the East India Docks in London.