The most famous parting words in history? (Reposted)
On this day in 1912, the seriously ill Captain Lawrence Edward Grace Oates of the Royal Inniskilling Dragoons, sacrificed himself in the Antarctic in the hope that, without the burden he represented, the expedition led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott RN, might reach safety.
Oates had reached a pinnacle of suffering by the time death beckoned. He could barely walk, his feet blackened and swollen by the merciless combination of frostbite and gangrene. He was starving and half incoherent from the cold. The side effects of scurvy had re-opened an old war wound as a festering mess. He walked out into the night with the immortal parting words
"I am just going outside and may be some time."
He died on his 32nd birthday.
Comments
I linked to your story.
http://brentanderson.blogspot.com/2005/03/what-kind-of-harmonious-culture-does.html
Posted by: Brent Anderson | March 29, 2005 2:18 PM
I must be an old softie, but that brings moisture to the old oculars.
Posted by: Oubaas | March 17, 2006 12:41 PM
We all knew that quote as children. And, even as a child, I had begun to suspect that Captain Scott was a reckless fool.
Posted by: dearieme | March 17, 2007 10:22 PM
Good looking fellow.
Wow.
My grandpa, who is still alive, was born in 1912. He was first off the boat English. His own family photos look similar. Kinda brings things home.
Oh, yeah, I'm American.
Good man Oates.
Posted by: anonymous | March 18, 2007 6:58 AM
this always gets to me...I wonder if anybody in school is taught this story nowadays?
Posted by: thud | March 17, 2008 12:00 PM
I somehow doubt it thud, after all he probably didn't carry out a proper risk assessment first. Joking aside, they damn well should be. Captain Oates well deserves his place in the history books in my opinion.
Posted by: Bruce | March 17, 2008 5:15 PM
A brave, brave man...
Posted by: Ratty | March 17, 2008 7:57 PM
Do you see the shoes this guy is wearing?
Not even boots, how did he last as long as he did?
Posted by: Mark | April 4, 2008 5:01 AM