On 24 April Shackleton set off in a reinforced and covered-over James Caird, with Worsley, Crean, McCarthy, Vincent and McNish, to make the 800 mile (1,480km) journey to South Georgia. This photograph shows the James Caird launched into the sea, before being loaded with ballast from the Stancomb Wills. Its raised sides and covered-over deck, made to give some protection during the voyage to South Georgia, can be seen quite clearly.