The Iconic Tom Crean Portrait

The Endurance Expedition 1914 – 1917

On February 7th 1915, Frank Hurley took his iconic photograph of Tom Crean, on the Endurance Expedition. It is, above all other photographs of Crean, the one image that has become synonymous with his immense strength, courage and character.
Frank Hurley, the expeditions photographer, captured hundreds of images that would provide the world with a visual account, of the remarkable ordeal that unfolded when the Endurance became trapped, and eventually crushed, by the ice of the Weddell Sea.
The photo of Tom Crean was taken in the early stages of the Edurance entrapment, on February 7th 1915, and unbeknown to the men at this time, they faced more than two years of extreme survival, on ice, sea and land, and Crean would play a central role in the safe rescue of all the crew.

 He was on of the six brave souls who sailed over 800 miles of the treacherous Weddell Sea in a lifeboat, before he crossed the rugged, mountainous and uncharted interior of South Georgia, with Shackleton and Worsley, to finally achieve rescue for the 22 men left behind on Elephant Island.
When you look at this photograph of Tom Crean, and look into his eyes, you know he was ready for all that lay ahead.

Portrait of Tom Crean by Frank Hurley, 7 February 1915

“A fine character one of the most reliable men on the expedition. As his name suggests he is an Irishman and a giant at that. He started as an ordinary sailor in the Navy and was in Scott’s expedition on HMS Discovery and again in his last expedition when, by walking thirty miles alone to fetch help, and thereby save the life of Commander Evans dangerously ill with scurvy, he gained the Albert medal for  conspicuous bravery. His staunch loyalty to the expedition is worth a lot”

Orde-Lees Diary, October 10 1915

On This Day – February 11th 1912
Sources – ” South with the Endurance” – The Photographs Of Frank Hurley Endurance Photo Gallery Tom Crean