During an expedition in the Southern Ocean, the “Endurance” was crushed by ice floes, sank and was only to be found again over a century later.
Antarctica – The year was 1915. Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton was on a polar mission in the Weddell Sea with the “Endurance” and her crew. This mission was Shackleton’s third such effort to gain insight into the Antarctic Circle.
In the Weddell Sea, the ship was crushed by pack ice and the crew had to abandon ship. No one was killed in the incident, but the ship would not be found again until over a century later – 3,008 meters below sea level.
Find at the bottom of the sea: “Endurance” had been lying on the bottom of the Weddell Sea since 1915
The Endurance22 expedition has dedicated itself to the apparently unsolvable task of finding the polar explorer’s ship on the bottom of the sea. In 2022, the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust reported that the wreck of Shackleton’s ship could be located.
Within the search area, the vessel was found approximately four miles south of the position originally recorded by Endurance’s captain, Frank Worsley. For the venture, which started from Cape Town, the expedition team worked from the South African polar research and logistics ship SA Agulhas II.
Endurance found after more than a hundred years: Wreck is a historic site and monument
“Our goals for Endurance22 were to locate, survey and film the wreck, but also to conduct important scientific research and implement an exceptional outreach program,” said Donald Lamont, Chairman of the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, proudly after finding the “Endurance ” with. The wreck is protected as a historic site and monument under the Antarctic Treaty, so it must not be touched or disturbed in any way during exploration and filming.
However, due to the escalating situation in the Ukraine war, Lamont notes: “Today’s celebrations are, of course, marred by world events and all those involved in Endurance22 have our thoughts and prayers with those affected by the ongoing shocking events. “
International cooperation in the search for sunken “endurance”
Lamont emphasizes that international cooperation was essential to the successful search for the wreck of the “Endurance”. “This success was the result of an impressive collaboration between many people, both on board the remarkable SA Agulhas II with her superb captain and crew, a capable and dedicated expedition team and many on whose support we have based in the UK, South Africa, Germany, France, the United States and elsewhere.” It was a historic achievement.
“We are blown away by our good fortune to have located and captured images of the ‘Endurance,'” said Mensun Bound, the expedition’s director of research. It is by far the most beautiful wooden shipwreck he has ever seen. It stands upright and protrudes from the seabed. Bound speaks of an “excellent state of preservation”. Even the lettering Endurance can still be seen. “We are bringing the story of Shackleton and the ‘Endurance’ to a new audience and to the next generation charged with protecting our polar regions and our planet.”
Search for the “Endurance” that sank in 1915: the captain’s log led the expedition to its destination
Modern technology alone is not responsible for the find, explains Bound. He speaks highly of the endurance’s captain’s navigational skills. He said Worsley’s notes were “invaluable” in the search. Bound also believes that finding the shipwreck is a “monumental discovery”.
also dr John Shears, expedition leader of the venture, is satisfied with the results of the search: “With the discovery of the ‘Endurance’ we have written polar history and successfully completed the most demanding shipwreck search in the world.” In addition, important scientific research work has been carried out in one part of the world who that global climate directly affect, according to Shears. He hopes his team’s discovery will inspire new generations around the world, showing “what people can achieve and what obstacles they can overcome when they work together.”
Not allowed to salvage sunken Endurance
Great caution was required in the search and exploration of the shipwreck that was finally found. As mentioned, the wreck is protected under the Antarctic Treaty – it must not be touched or even damaged under any circumstances. The researchers therefore return without any tangible souvenirs of the ship, but with plenty of image material and 3D scans.
The underwater project manager, Nico Vincent, speaks of the “most complex underwater project that has ever been carried out”. In the search for the wreck, several world records were set to ensure the safe discovery of the “Endurance”.
Finding and examining shipwrecks is a constant challenge for mankind. At the end of 2021, new information about the “Estonia” that sank in 1994 became known. In the middle of the night, water entered the ship on the way to Stockholm. Few could be saved. (mda)
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