# Lionel Stenhouse — South! character guide

> Lionel Stenhouse in South! by Ernest Shackleton.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** March Stenhouse, Stenhouse, Mr. Stenhouse, Lieut. J. R. Stenhouse

**First appearance:** 0015-xiii-the-ross-sea-party

## Snapshot

Aurora's captain, left to hold a ship moored to Antarctic shore ice while the expedition's fate hung elsewhere.

## Who they are

Stenhouse commands the Ross Sea party's vessel, responsible for keeping the Aurora secure against ice pressure that constantly threatens to tear her from her moorings. His reports reveal a man managing anchors, hawsers, and anxious shore parties with methodical care, aware that the ship is the only way home. His quiet burden matters because the expedition's survival depends on a ship most readers will forget is still out there.

## Relationships

### [Aeneas Mackintosh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/aeneas_mackintosh)

_professional_

Mackintosh and Stenhouse had a formal captain-first officer relationship, with Stenhouse commanding the Aurora in Mackintosh's absence.

### [Aeneas Mackintosh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/aeneas_mackintosh)

_professional_

Mackintosh and Stenhouse had a formal captain-first officer relationship, with Stenhouse commanding the Aurora in Mackintosh's absence.

## In the story

### [Into the Weddell Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/i-into-the-weddell-sea)

Mentioned as March Stenhouse, part of the expedition.

### [XIII: The Ross Sea Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/xiii-the-ross-sea-party)

Left in command of the Aurora; involved in the search for a landing place at Cape Crozier.

### [XVI: The Aurora’s Drift](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/xvi-the-aurora-s-drift)

Commands the Aurora after Mackintosh departs; keeps detailed log of the ship's drift and struggles to find secure winter quarters.

### [The Last Relief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/xvii-the-last-relief)

In Wellington, Shackleton praises his seamanship during the Aurora's drift.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/lionel_stenhouse
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters