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Endurance was first ship in history to be insured

Published

5 years ago

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By John Healy of Healy Insurances

The Endurance, the lost vessel of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton and Annascaul native Tom Crean, was found at the bottom of the Weddell Sea on March 5 last.

Photo: Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust

The ship was crushed by Antarctic sea-ice in January 1915 and sank on November 21 1915, forcing Shackleton and his crew to make their escape on foot and in small boats. The rescue mission took four attempts with the remainder of the 28 crew rescued from Elephant Island on August 30 1916. It had been 24 months and 22 days since they set sail from England. It's considered to be one of the great survival stories of human history.

Paul Miller of The Insurance Museum in London confirmed that the Endurance was insured at Lloyds of London in 1914. News that the Endurance was missing first came via Lloyds “apart from the natural anxiety as to the fate of Ernest Shackleton, underwriters are now somewhat concerned about the safety of the expedition ship Endurance which has not been heard of since she left South Georgia in December 1914 to carry the transatlantic party to their starting point”.

Lloyd’s and the Indemnity Marine Assurance Company had underwritten its hull, machinery and equipment for £15,000.

This was the first vessel to take part in Antarctic exploration to be covered against all risks throughout her voyage.

It had appeared to be a good risk as there had been no record of recent disaster to an Antarctic ship. Over the previous 20 years, 23 vessels had gone and returned home safely.

The Endurance was the first ship in history to be insured into the waters of the Antarctic. The Times reported "Hitherto the insurance of vessels taking part in Antarctic exploration has ceased at the last port touched, and Endurance will be the first vessel to be insured in the ice zone".

The scientists aboard the research vessel that located the Endurance said that the wreck was in remarkably good condition with the name Endurance on the stern still clearly legible.

The scientists did not salvage any part of the wreck as the ship is now a protected historic site and monument under the Antarctic treaty system, the international regulations that apply to Antarctica.

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Killarney National Park Autumn Talks up and running

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14 minutes ago

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9 October 2026

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Killarney National Park Autumn Talks up and running


Following a successful opening presentation by award-winning photographer James Crombie on the mesmerising starling murmuration’s of Lough Ennell, the 38th annual Killarney National Park Autumn Talks Series continues next week with a focus on Irish biodiversity.


The lineup for Thursday, October 15, features guest speaker Professor Grace McCormack of University College Galway, who will present a talk on “The Importance of Native Honeybees and Other Pollinators and Current Threats to Their Survival”.
Prof. McCormack’s address will explore the vital role native bees play in local ecosystems, the environmental pressures threatening their populations, and the conservation efforts required to ensure their survival.
Last night’s (October 8) opening talk, saw Inpho Sports Photography staff photographer James Crombie kick off the six-week series.
Crombie, named Irish Press Photographer of the Year in 2021, 2022, and 2025, shared the story behind his famous images documenting Westmeath’s starling displays, which reached millions of viewers worldwide.
The Autumn Talks Series runs weekly for six weeks in the Killarney House Auditorium (V93 HE3C) at 8.00pm. Admission is free, though seating is limited. All presentations are also live streamed via the Killarney National Park Facebook page.


MESMERISING NATURE: Multi-award-winning photographer James Crombie, who opened the 38th annual Killarney National Park Autumn Talks Series with a presentation on his famous starling murmuration photographs.

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Missing Killarney chef located dead in UK

Published

9 hours ago

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8 October 2026

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Missing Killarney chef located dead in UK


A 34-year search for missing former Killarney chef Patrick (Patsy) O’Sullivan ended following confirmation that he was located deceased in the UK.


Patsy was 35 years old when last seen by relatives in Lombardstown, County Cork, during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in April 1992. At the time of his disappearance, he was working as a chef in Waterville, having previously worked across several Killarney hotels. He was scheduled to attend a family Christening shortly after returning from Kerry, but never arrived.
Despite decades of public appeals, including features on RTÉ’s Crimecall, his location remained unknown.
Investigations revealed that Patsy moved to the UK and changed his name to Patrick Aldridge in 1995, adopting the surname of his partner who passed away in 2022. He passed away from natural causes on July 5, 2024, living just over an hour away from his brother who also passed away in the UK last year.
Speaking on Cork’s 96FM, his brother Jerry O’Sullivan confirmed the family finally received closure following renewed efforts led by Garda PJ Roche and investigating officers. He noted that while unanswered questions remain about why Patsy started over fresh, the family is grateful for the work that brought final answers.
An Garda Síochána confirmed the missing person case is closed and thanked the public for their assistance over the years.


IN MEMORY: Patrick (Patsy) O’Sullivan, a native of North Cork who worked as a chef in Killarney and Waterville, went missing in April 1992 and was located deceased in the UK. Photo: Garda Press Office.

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