Royal Navy scientific voyages and Shackleton

Which Royal Navy scientific voyage was most important, and which was the panel's favorite?

Shackleton's expedition is selected as a favorite for its survival and rescue story. No most important Royal Navy scientific voyage is identified.

Some scientific voyages were private ventures using naval ships, which complicates the question of what counts as a Royal Navy expedition. Shackleton's expedition is chosen as a favorite survival story, while no voyage is selected as the most important. His return to rescue the remaining crew provides the immediate reason for that choice. The men on Elephant Island had no way to know whether he had survived his departure or would return, and many believed they would die there. Their continued cohesion and relatively high spirits make morale and the small details of group life central to the discussion.