# Frank Wild — South! character guide > Frank Wild in South! by Ernest Shackleton. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Wild, Wild and Jack **First appearance:** 0003-i-into-the-weddell-sea ## Snapshot Shackleton's dependable second-in-command, the man left to hold Elephant Island together while the boss sails for rescue. ## Who they are Wild is the expedition's anchor, the officer Shackleton trusts to keep order and morale among the men when the ship is gone and the world has forgotten them. He shares the shipboard life of science and dog-driving, then inherits the hardest job of all: waiting, rationing, and keeping hope alive on a frozen shore. His steadiness under that weight is what makes the story's long middle bearable. ## Relationships ### [Aeneas Mackintosh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/aeneas_mackintosh) _professional_ Mackintosh relied heavily on Wild's experience and authority as second-in-command, creating a respectful but strained working relationship. ### [Richards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/richards) _professional_ Wild acted as a mentor and supervisor to Richards, guiding him through the harsh conditions of the expedition. ### [Hayward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/hayward) _professional_ Wild maintained a formal, task-oriented relationship with Hayward, focused on survival and expedition duties. ### [Gaze](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/gaze) _friendship_ Wild and Gaze shared a supportive bond, with Wild often looking out for Gaze during the expedition's hardships. ### [James Hurley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/james_hurley) _friendship_ Wild and Hurley were close friends, with Wild supporting Hurley's photographic work and sharing in the expedition's trials. ### [James Caird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/james_caird) _friendship_ Wild and Caird were comrades in the lifeboat, bonded by the desperate struggle for survival after the Endurance sank. ### [Frank Worsley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/frank_worsley) _friendship_ Wild and Worsley were close friends and fellow officers, sharing leadership responsibilities and mutual respect. ### [Cope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/cope) _professional_ Cope served under Wild as a biologist and assistant, their relationship being strictly work-focused and hierarchical. ### [Aeneas Mackintosh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/aeneas_mackintosh) _professional_ Mackintosh relied heavily on Wild's experience and authority as second-in-command, creating a respectful but strained working relationship. ### [Aeneas Mackintosh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/aeneas_mackintosh) _professional_ Mackintosh relied heavily on Wild's experience and authority as second-in-command, creating a respectful but strained working relationship. ### [Richards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/richards) _professional_ Wild acted as a mentor and supervisor to Richards, guiding him through the harsh conditions of the expedition. ### [James Hurley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/james_hurley) _friendship_ Wild and Hurley were close friends, with Wild supporting Hurley's photographic work and sharing in the expedition's trials. ## In the story ### [South!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/south) Second-in-command; mentioned as a key member of the expedition team. ### [Winter Months](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/iii-winter-months) In charge of a dog team and shared night watches with Worsley and Shackleton. ### [IV: Loss of the Endurance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/iv-loss-of-the-endurance) Assists Shackleton in retrieving petrol from the wreck and helps care for the crew. ### [The March Between](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/vi-the-march-between) Assists Shackleton in reconnaissance, marks the route, and helps secure seals for food. ### [VII: Patience Camp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/vii-patience-camp) Leads a party of eighteen men to Ocean Camp to retrieve the Stancomb Wills boat and remaining supplies. ### [VIII: Escape from the Ice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/viii-escape-from-the-ice) Sat at the tiller of the James Caird, seemingly unmoved by fatigue and privation; later sent to scout for a new camping ground. ### [The Boat Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/ix-the-boat-journey) Left in command of the party on Elephant Island; assists in planning and preparations. ### [XII: Elephant Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/xii-elephant-island) Commanded the party left on Elephant Island; organized shelter construction, maintained morale with cheery optimism, and daily prepared for Shackleton's return. ### [XIII: The Ross Sea Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/xiii-the-ross-sea-party) Part of the trio that tirelessly hauled the sledges carrying the incapacitated men. ### [Wintering in McMurdo Sound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/xiv-wintering-in-mcmurdo-sound) Works with Joyce on clothing improvisation; described as cheerful and willing, lifting spirits with songs and jokes. ### [XV: Laying the Depots](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/xv-laying-the-depots) Part of Mackintosh's advance party; helped with depot-laying and was noted as feeling fit during the return. ### [The Last Relief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/xvii-the-last-relief) Survivor; erects a cross with Jack to the memory of the lost men. ### [XVIII: The Final Phase](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/xviii-the-final-phase) Served on the North Russian front, winning high praise for his zeal and ability. ### [Appendix II: The Expedition Huts at McMurdo Sound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/appendix-ii-the-expedition-huts-at-mcmurdo-sound) Part of the party sent to inspect the Discovery Hut in 1908. ### [The National Antarctic Expedition’s Hut at Hut Point—The Head of McMurdo Sound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/the-national-antarctic-expedition-s-hut-at-hut-point-the-head-of-mcmurdo-sound) Part of the party sent to inspect the hut in 1908. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/frank_wild - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters