Stephenson was born on 19 April 1889 in Kingston upon Hull, probably in the suburb of Sculcoates. He served from 1914 until 1915 as a stoker aboard the Endurance, the exploration vessel built for the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition headed by of Sir Ernest Shackleton. After the vessel sank in late 1915, Stephenson joined the other members of the ship's crew as a castaway and was rescued in August 1916.[2]
Stephenson is one of the lesser-known explorers in Antarctic history. In the words of the Endurance crew's biographer, John F. Mann, "very little is recorded or known about his life, and of the 28 members of the Endurance, he is perhaps the most mysterious."[2]
By 1914, he is believed to have been a veteran of the Royal Marines, who had served as an officer's steward. Possibly before and certainly after his Antarctic service, Stephenson served for many years as a seaman on the fishing trawlers that put out from the Yorkshire coast to the fishing banks of the North Sea.
Despite his sea experience, he occupied a humble space on the Endurance, and few of the diaries and journals kept by his shipmates mention him or flesh out his character. One tiny fragment of information indicates that although William Stephenson's nickname in civilian life was "Bill", he was known on the Endurance as "Steve".
Press coverage of Stephenson's dramatic rescue from the Antarctic in August 1916 appears to have been confined to the printing of his name on a manifest listing the passengers on a steamboat marking the final stage of their return to England in late 1916.
Personal lifeedit
Stephenson lived in obscurity until his death in hospital in Hull in August 1953.[2]
Legacyedit
With his fellow fireman-stoker Ernest Holness, William Stephenson was one of four members of the Endurance crew to be denied the Polar Medal. The reasons, if any, for expedition leader Shackleton's failure to recommend Stephenson for this honour are unknown.[2]
Referencesedit
^"William H. Stephenson (1889 - 1953) - Biographical Notes". www.coolantarctica.com. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
^ abcdeJohn F. Mann (2009). . Enduranceobituaries.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
November 28, 2023
william, stephenson, sailor, william, stephenson, april, 1889, august, 1953, english, marine, engine, stoker, best, known, service, imperial, trans, antarctic, expedition, 1914, 1916, william, stephensonborn19, april, 1889kingston, upon, hulldied19, august, 19. William Stephenson 19 April 1889 19 August 1953 was an English marine engine stoker 1 He is best known for his service in the Imperial Trans Antarctic Expedition of 1914 1916 2 William StephensonBorn19 April 1889Kingston upon HullDied19 August 1953 1953 08 19 aged 64 CitizenshipBritishOccupationMarine engine stoker Contents 1 Career 2 Personal life 3 Legacy 4 ReferencesCareer editStephenson was born on 19 April 1889 in Kingston upon Hull probably in the suburb of Sculcoates He served from 1914 until 1915 as a stoker aboard the Endurance the exploration vessel built for the Imperial Trans Antarctic Expedition headed by of Sir Ernest Shackleton After the vessel sank in late 1915 Stephenson joined the other members of the ship s crew as a castaway and was rescued in August 1916 2 Stephenson is one of the lesser known explorers in Antarctic history In the words of the Endurance crew s biographer John F Mann very little is recorded or known about his life and of the 28 members of the Endurance he is perhaps the most mysterious 2 By 1914 he is believed to have been a veteran of the Royal Marines who had served as an officer s steward Possibly before and certainly after his Antarctic service Stephenson served for many years as a seaman on the fishing trawlers that put out from the Yorkshire coast to the fishing banks of the North Sea Despite his sea experience he occupied a humble space on the Endurance and few of the diaries and journals kept by his shipmates mention him or flesh out his character One tiny fragment of information indicates that although William Stephenson s nickname in civilian life was Bill he was known on the Endurance as Steve Press coverage of Stephenson s dramatic rescue from the Antarctic in August 1916 appears to have been confined to the printing of his name on a manifest listing the passengers on a steamboat marking the final stage of their return to England in late 1916 Personal life editStephenson lived in obscurity until his death in hospital in Hull in August 1953 2 Legacy editWith his fellow fireman stoker Ernest Holness William Stephenson was one of four members of the Endurance crew to be denied the Polar Medal The reasons if any for expedition leader Shackleton s failure to recommend Stephenson for this honour are unknown 2 References edit William H Stephenson 1889 1953 Biographical Notes www coolantarctica com Retrieved 25 May 2020 a b c d e John F Mann 2009 The Endurance Obituaries William H Stephenson Enduranceobituaries co uk Archived from the original on 28 October 2016 Retrieved 20 November 2016 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William Stephenson sailor amp oldid 1142255005, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
