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Endurance was first ship in history to be insured

Published

4 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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10-minute plays will linger in the memory

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4 hours ago

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9 March 2026

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The West End House School of Arts is delighted to take part in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Festival with a special evening of entertaining readings on Friday, March 13 at 7.30pm.

It promises to be a vibrant showcase of five original 10-minute plays written by emerging local playwrights, each of whom has recently completed a playwriting course with Fiona Doyle (pictured).


Diverse in style and subject matter, these beautifully crafted pieces promise an evening of laughter, tears, and powerful storytelling and each reading will be performed by West End House actors from Kerry.


Together, they highlight the remarkable talent of these up-and-coming writers and actors, who are the future of theatre in our community.

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Get your scrap together

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7 hours ago

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9 March 2026

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Following the success of the first ever Killarney Lions Club scrap metal collection in 2025, the Club will again run the event this year in partnership with KWD Recycling on March 28, at Killarney Racecourse.

Similar to 2025, money raised through recycling the metal will go towards improving facilities for families attending the children’s cancer unit in Cork University Hospital, as part of an overall fundraising drive being coordinated by Lions Clubs all over Munster.

The Club is asking people to bring non-ferrous scrap metals such as aluminium, copper, brass, zinc and stainless steel (no white goods such as fridges/cookers washing machines). Volunteers will be on hand from 9am until 4pm to take donations of scrap and work with KWD Recycling to remove it for processing.

“Although Lions Clubs in Munster have already raised some funds for CUH, more is still needed, so we’re delighted that KWD Recycling is working with us again to support this very worthwhile cause”, said Jason Higgins, President of Killarney Lions Club. “We’re asking anyone who has scrap metal at home, at work or on the farm now or in the next few weeks to please bring it to the Racecourse on the day because everything we collect will make a difference.”

Tadhg Healy, Sales Manager at KWD Recycling added that “We will recycle any high quality scrap metal that we collect – it can be quite valuable and of course it’s better for the environment if it’s recycled instead of being dumped. On top of that, the main thing with this collection is to help families of children with cancer, so hopefully we’ll get a good response from everyone and raise as much money as possible through this event”.

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