Shackleton

[mother]

Why did Ernest Shackleton, on his memorable expedition, make for South Georgia from the Elephant Isles instead of the much closer Falkland Islands (or indeed Argentina)?

[incitatus]

The south atlantic current would not allow it. He was damn lucky to find land at all.

[geofbob]

Another reason he might have wanted to head for S.Georgia rather than elsewhere is that he might have expected a rescue expedition to have been launched from the UK, and this would certainly have followed his route via S.Georgia. He would have more chance of meeting, or finding out, about a rescue vessel if he returned to S.Georgia. It should be remembered that he had to return to Elephant Island for the bulk of his team.