About Tom Crean
Tom Crean was born in Anascaul in 1877. Tom's parents were poor farmers.It was a hard life and when crops failed many people died.One day Tom was working in the potato field he accidentally let the cows in and they ate the potatoes.Tom's father was furious.He and Tom had a huge fight and Tom swore he would run away. Tom got his chance when one day a British Navy Officer came to the area.Tom asked the Officer if he could join the Navy.The Officer said yes.You were not allowed to join the Navy unless you were over 16 but Tom (who was only 15) lied about his age.So he joined the Navy.
The Discovery
After a few years working on the H.M.S Ringarooma (British Navy ship).Tom's life changed when they were docked in New Zealand. A ship called Discovery ported in the harbour. Captain Robert Scott (Discovery's Captain) said he had one man short for his expedition to the Antartic so Tom bravely joined. On this journey Tom Crean nevre managed to get to the South Pole. Tom was an exellent crew mamber he was tough, strong and reliable.
The Terra Nova
After a few years of no Antartica Tom got bored. He was delighted when Captain Scott invited Tom to join him on the ship Terra Nova for a race to the South Pole.
Britain vs Norway
It was going to be the British led by Robert Scott vs the Norweigians led by Roald Amundson. Half way through the race Robert Scott had to choose 4 men to continue and 3 to head back to base camp. Tom was not chosen! On the way to base camp L.t Evans (navigator) who was also sent back caught scurvy which is a bad disease. So Tom set out on his own to get to base camp. It was a 56km march through blizzards to base camp and he did it in 18 hours! Bill and L.t Evans survived.Tom was later awarded the Albert medal by King George V.
By Karl Buckley
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