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Related: About this forumShipwreck Endurance still 'bold and beautiful' after a century in Antarctic waters
The wreck of one of the worlds most legendary exploring ships was just found in icy waters off Antarctica and the pictures from the expedition are incredible.
The discovery comes more than 100 years after the ship Endurance was crushed by sea ice, leaving explorer Ernest Shackleton and his crew to find an alternate (and brutal) route home.
The ships final resting place was discovered by the expedition Endurance22, which used high-tech underwater search vehicles to find and document the wreck.
In a long career of surveying and excavating historic shipwrecks, I have never seen one as bold and beautiful as this, Mensun Bound, the expeditions director of exploration, wrote in a blog post.
At: https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/9/22968758/shipwreck-endurance-antarctica-shackleton-sea-ice-underwater-sabertooth
The stern of the barquentine Endurance, which has remained remarkably intact since its sinking in Antarctica's Weddell Sea in 1915.
A documentary of the expedition is expected to premiere on National Geographic this fall.
Budi
(15,325 posts)This is such an interesting find
Snip
"The Endurance was in gorgeous shape, with paint still visible on parts of the ship. While there is some damage (as would be expected from a ship that was crushed in sea ice), features like the ships wheel and the iconic name are still remarkably intact. Since it is considered a historic site, nothing on the wreck was touched it will be left as-is on the seafloor."
https://i.postimg.cc/vmPp01p8/END-22-EPK-WRECK-STILL-IMAGES-1-Credit-Falklands-Maritime-Heritage-Trust-and-National-Geographic.webp
The taffrail and ships wheel of the Endurance
cr. Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust and National Geographic
peppertree
(22,850 posts)Just as long as it's not some alien spacecraft à la The Thing.
"Let's take samples, guys. Would could possibly go wrong!"
Budi
(15,325 posts)But if they said they were recovering a spaceship, I think I'd doubt the reality.
It just my lame attempt at humor.
But in all seriousness, you're right: they are awe-inspiring. The first one I remember was the one about Bob Ballard's Titanic expedition, in '85 I believe.
And directed by James Cameron, appropriately enough. You could hear a pin drop in the room, everyone was so transfixed.
Budi
(15,325 posts)flying saucer. Maybe from a Twighlight Zone episode.
We're still intrigued, but if a real one showed up, it'd be madness to get a glimpse.
I'd don't know if they could convince me even if it was flying ovr my own head!
Yes. James Cameron, Titanic.
peppertree
(22,850 posts)Makes you wonder about some of those Faux News hosts...
Joinfortmill
(16,620 posts)peppertree
(22,850 posts)I understand it'll probably end up in a museum in the Falklands (which are nearby).
In the meantime, the NatGeo documentary will have to do.
Budi
(15,325 posts)"Since it is considered a historic site, nothing on the wreck was touched it will be left as-is on the seafloor.
Doesn't sound as tho they will relocate it.
Guess that's respectable decision.
peppertree
(22,850 posts)Perhaps recovering it would only damage it, from those depths and all.
Luckily, these days they can take great footage of such things.
Budi
(15,325 posts)Thanks.
This is exciting stuff.