Ernest Shackleton's ship found in Antarctica 107 years later
September 2024 · 5 minute read
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One of the most storied shipwrecks in maritime history has been found off the coast of Antarctica — some 107 years after explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s vessel was crushed by ice and sank to the bottom of the sea.
Organizers of the two-week expedition announced the historic find of the Endurance Wednesday at a depth of more than 9,800 feet in the Weddell Sea after the 144-foot wooden ship sank in 1915. The wreck, which is incredibly well-preserved, will be studied and filmed, but not disturbed, researchers said.
“This is by far the finest wooden shipwreck I have ever seen,” said Mensun Bound, director of exploration at the Falklands Maritme Heritage Trust, which spearheaded the expedition. “It is upright, well proud of the seabed, intact, and in a brilliant state of preservation.”
Ernest Shackleton’s vessel was found 107 years later. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusThe wreck is protected as a historic site and monument under the Antarctic Treaty. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusThe wreck was discovered 100 years after Ernest Shackleton’s death. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusIn 1915, Ernest Shackleton and his crew were forced to make a stunning escape. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusThe extremely cold waters of the Weddell Sea likely led to the ship’s near-pristine condition. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusPolar explorer Ernest Shackleton on board the ‘Endurance’ in London before leaving for the Antarctic. Paul Popper/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty ImagesA soccer game during a ‘hold-up’ in the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge
Photos show the ship’s name, Endurance, clearly visible above a star on its stern, while others showed a rear deck and its wheel.
“This is a milestone in polar history,” Bound said in a statement. “We hope our discovery will engage young people and inspire them with the pioneering spirit, courage and fortitude of those who sailed Endurance to Antarctica.”
The shipwreck was discovered by the Endurance22 team using underwater drones some four miles away from its last known position recorded by its captain, Frank Worsley, researchers said. Those detailed records were pivotal to the “monumental” find, Bound said.
The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust organized the expedition to find it. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusThe shipwreck was discovered by the Endurance22 team using underwater drones. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusIn late 1914, Ernest Shackleton set out to achieve the first land crossing of Antarctica from the Weddell Sea via the South Pole. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusIn 1915, the Endurance was trapped by dense pack ice. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusThe “Endurance”, ice-bound in Antarctica during an expedition, 1915. Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty ImagesOfficers and crew of the ‘Endurance’ – the shore party group pose under the bow of the ‘Endurance’ at Weddell Sea Base. Frank Hurley/Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge/Getty Images
“It’s beautiful,” Bound told NBC News. “It just doesn’t get any better.”
The extremely cold waters of the Weddell Sea likely led to the ship’s near-pristine condition since no “wood-eating microbes and microorganisms” were viable at that temperature, a British historian told NBC News.
“It is super cold,” historian Dan Snow said. “It’s probably just below zero.”
Photos show the ship’s name, Endurance, clearly visible above a star on its stern. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusThe crew spent months in makeshift camps on ice floes. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusThe crew ultimately used lifeboats to reach the uninhabited Elephant Island. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusOrganizers of the two-week expedition announced the historic find of the Endurance on Wednesday. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusThe ‘Endurance’ crushed by the ice and sinking during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Frank Hurley/Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge/Getty ImagesThe crew ultimately used lifeboats to reach the uninhabited Elephant Island after spending months in makeshift camps on ice floes. Frank Hurley/Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge/Getty ImagesThe Endurance, of Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition, was eventually crushed by the ice, in which the crew made a heroic two-year journey across the ice and polar seas to eventual rescue. George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images
In late 1914, Irish-British explorer Shackleton set out to achieve the first land crossing of Antarctica from the Weddell Sea via the South Pole. But Endurance never reached land and got trapped in densely packed ice, forcing all 28 men on board to abandon ship.
The crew ultimately used lifeboats to reach the uninhabited Elephant Island after spending months in makeshift camps on ice floes, researchers said.
The wreck, which was discovered 100 years after Shackleton’s death, is protected as a historic site and monument under the Antarctic Treaty.
The crew cut the Endurance out of the ice during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-17, February 1915. Frank Hurley/Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge/Getty ImagesEndurance never reached land and got trapped in dense ice.The Endurance was found at a depth of more than 9,800 feet in the Weddell Sea. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusThe wreck will be studied and filmed, but not disturbed. Falklands Maritime Heritage TrusRafting astern brash ice made by the ‘Endurance’ in efforts to break free. Frank Hurley/Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge/Getty ImagesThe ship was subject to pressure from ice and was helpless in its grip and eventually went under. PA Images via Getty Images
“The Endurance22 expedition has reached its goal,” Dr. John Shears, who led the underwater odyssey, said in a statement. “We have made polar history with the discovery of Endurance, and successfully completed the world’s most challenging shipwreck search.”
