The legendary explorer from Kerry has been announced as Norwegian’s first Irish ‘tail fin hero’.
A portrait of legendary Antarctic explorer Tom Crean will feature on Norwegian’s new 737MAX aircraft that will serve new transatlantic routes from Cork, Shannon and Dublin to the east coast of the United States this summer.
The airline and the Crean Family announced the news on Friday morning, with Crean becoming the first iconic Irish figure to be honoured as a Norwegian ‘tail fin hero’ alongside luminaries from Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and Spain.
Norwegian’s tail fin hero series honours iconic figures on the tails of its aircraft, featuring personalities who symbolise the spirit of Norwegian through innovation, pioneering achievement and inspiring others.
While many of the airline’s existing tail fin heroes feature Scandinavian figures, Crean is amongst a number of heroes from outside Scandinavia to be honoured to reflect the airline’s growth in other markets.
Although born at the tail end of the 19th century, Crean needs little introduction to people in Ireland.
Born in Kerry in 1877, he joined the Royal Navy aged just 15, quickly becoming recognised as an accomplished sailor.
In 1901, a chance encounter with Robert Falcon Scott saw Crean join Captain Scott’s ship ‘Discovery’ for an exploration into the unchartered Antarctica waters – it would become the first of several polar expeditions undertaken by Crean that led him to become known as one of Ireland’s greatest Antarctic explorers.
During one of those Antarctic expeditions, Crean undertook what has become known as the ‘Impossible march’, which has become recognised as the greatest act of bravery in Antarctic exploration history.
Having been on the march for 1,500 miles, one of Crean’s companions collapsed 35 miles from safety. Crean volunteered to go for help, completing a final 18 hour leg of the journey alone through sub-zero temperatures; his solo exploits saved his companion and saw him awarded The Albert Medal for his heroism by King George.
Crean would also go on to receive the Polar Medal three times for his Antarctic endeavours.
A native of Annascaul in Kerry, Crean has been recognised in more recent times in a Guinness advert and in a bestselling book about his life.
Clip via davidmagister
Tom Crean’s granddaughter, Aileen Crean-O’Brien, has recently been adding to the Crean family story by recreating his expedition on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. You can read more about that here.
Commenting on his recognition as a Norwegian tail fin hero, the Crean family said: “We are delighted to honour our grandfather’s bravery and courage by bringing his name and exploits to Norwegian’s many US and European customers. As our family continues Tom Crean’s legacy with our own Antarctic exploits, we wish Norwegian the very best in their new endeavours.”
From July, Norwegian will launch a series of new low-cost transatlantic routes from Cork, Shannon and Dublin, serving smaller airports on the east coast of the United States.
For more information, check out the Norwegian website.
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