Another forgotten hero of the seas

Published on 23/09/2012 00:00

THOMAS F MacLeod, a seaman from Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, who sailed on three Antarctic expeditions, once with Scott and twice with Shackleton, is like Henry Bowers (News, 9 September), totally forgotten in his own country. MacLeod joined the Merchant Navy at the age of 14 and spent his life at sea. He was one of those on the Shackleton expedition who was stranded on Elephant Island. It is also believed that it was MacLeod’s idea to build a cairn in memory of Shackleton in South Georgia. MacLeod also retrieved Shackleton’s discarded bible which is now in the possession of the Royal Geographical Society.

He died in Kingston, Ontario, at the age of 91, the longest lived of Shackleton’s Endurance party. Being asked to sail on three Antarctic expeditions proves that MacLeod must have been an extremely capable Scottish seaman.

Donald J MacLeod (no relation 
to the above), Bridge of Don