Taffrail and ships wheel, aft well deck. Credit: © Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust/ National Geographic
Donald Lamont, Chairman of the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, said:
” Our goals for Endurance22 were to find, study, and movie the wreck, however likewise to conduct important clinical research study, and to run a remarkable outreach program. Todays events are naturally tempered by world events, and everyone associated with Endurance22 keeps those impacted by these continuing stunning occasions in their ideas and prayers.
” The spotlight falls today on Mensun Bound, the Director of Exploration, and Nico Vincent, Subsea Project Manager. Under the impressive management of Dr John Shears, they have actually discovered Endurance. This success has actually been the result of outstanding cooperation amongst numerous individuals, both on board the impressive S.A. Agulhas II with its exceptional Master and crew, a proficient and dedicated exploration group and lots of on whose support we have actually depended in the UK, South Africa, Germany, France, the United States and somewhere else. The Trustees encompass them all our warmest thanks and congratulations on this historical achievement.”
The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust is pleased to confirm that the Endurance22 Expedition has found the wreck of Endurance, Sir Ernest Shackletons ship which has actually not been seen given that it was crushed by the ice and sank in the Weddell Sea in 1915.
One hundred years after Shackletons death, Endurance was discovered at a depth of 3,008 meters (9,869 feet) in the Weddell Sea, within the search area defined by the expedition team prior to its departure from Cape Town, and around four miles south of the position initially tape-recorded by Captain Worsley.
The team worked from the South African polar research and logistics vessel, S.A. Agulhas II, owned by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment and under Master, Capt. Knowledge Bengu, using Saabs Sabertooth hybrid undersea search lorries. The wreck is protected as a Historic Site and Monument under the Antarctic Treaty, ensuring that whilst the wreck is being surveyed and shot it will not be touched or disturbed in any way.
Mensun Bound, Director of Exploration on the exploration, stated:
” We are overwhelmed by our great fortune in having situated and captured pictures of Endurance. This is by far the finest wood shipwreck I have actually ever seen. It is upright, well pleased with the seabed, intact, and in a dazzling state of conservation. You can even see “Endurance” arced throughout the stern, straight listed below the taffrail. This is a milestone in polar history. It is not all about the past; we are bringing the story of Shackleton and Endurance to new audiences, and to the next generation, who will be delegated with the important securing of our polar areas and our planet. We hope our discovery will engage young people and influence them with the pioneering spirit, courage, and fortitude of those who cruised Endurance to Antarctica. We commemorate the navigational skills of Captain Frank Worsley, the Captain of the Endurance, whose in-depth records were important in our quest to find the wreck. I want to thank my colleagues of The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust for allowing this remarkable expedition to occur, in addition to Saab for their innovation, and the whole group of dedicated professionals who have actually been associated with this monumental discovery.”
The stern of the Endurance with the name and emblematic polestar. Credit: © Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust/ National Geographic
Dr. John Shears, Expedition Leader, said:
” The Endurance22 exploration has actually reached its goal. The Expedition team, and the officers and team of the S.A. Agulhas II, have actually been just exceptional. I would likewise like to say thank you to The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, and all of our partners, especially in South Africa, who have actually played an important role in the success of the expedition.”
Starboard bow. Credit: © Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust/ National Geographic
Nico Vincent, Subsea Project Manager, stated:
” This has been the most intricate subsea project ever undertaken, with several world records achieved to ensure the safe detection of Endurance. State of the art subsea innovations have actually been deployed to attain this successful outcome and I would especially like to thank the subsea team for all of the engineering support, both on board the ship and throughout the months of style, preparation, and screening. All of them revealed a substantial dedication and durability, deserving of the finest tradition of polar expedition. Saab offered the Sabertooth so I likewise desire to thank them, including their ace group onboard SA Agulhas II, and those who ensured the automobiles performed in addition to they did.”
Endurance 22 Expedition worked out of the South African polar research and logistics vessel, S.A. Agulhas II. Credit: Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust
The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
It was Sir Ernest Shackletons ambition to achieve the first land crossing of Antarctica from the Weddell Sea via the South Pole to the Ross Sea. The Ross Sea Party which was landed at Hut Point on Ross Island had the job of laying supply discards for Shackletons crossing party, and accomplished its objective, but at the cost of 3 lives lost. In the Weddell Sea, Endurance never ever reached land and became trapped in the dense pack ice and the 28 males on board ultimately had no choice but to abandon ship.
One of Frank Hurleys pictures of the stricken Endurance caught in pack ice. Credit: Frank Hurley/Wikimedia Commons
Scientific Research
Under the management of Dr. Lasse Rabenstein, Endurance22s Chief Scientist, a world leading group of scientists from research study and universities successfully performed numerous hours of environment change associated studies over the duration of the expedition. Agents southern African Weather Service, German company Drift & & Noise, Germanys Alfred-Wegener-Institute, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Aalto University in Finland and South Africas Stellenbosch University looked into the ice wanders, weather condition conditions of the Weddell Sea, studies of sea ice thickness, and were able to map the sea ice from area. Integrated, these crucial research studies will materially help our understanding of this remote region and how it affects our changing environment.
Endurance22 education program
Considering that the exploration was developed, educational outreach was a key goal. The FMHT partnered with Reach the World, the US-based education company, and the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) who have successfully linked with tens of thousands of kids throughout the exploration through regular live stream interviews and product produced for class use.
Expedition coverage and special documentary
History Hit, the content platform co-founded by historian Dan Snow, acclaimed digital content agency and media network Little Dot Studios, and impact driven production company, Consequential, have produced a range of material covering the setting up of the exploration, the voyage and search, and now the discovery itself, along with the history, science, and other styles that connect to the wider mission. Short-form material continues to be distributed to countless subscribers, consisting of with material breaking on TikTok. The team has actually also been filming for a long-form observational documentary narrating the expedition which has actually been commissioned by National Geographic to air later on this year.
Set to premiere this Fall 2022 as part of National Geographics EXPLORER series, this documentary event will air worldwide on National Geographic in 172 countries and 43 languages before it heads to Disney+. Special storytelling about the Endurance will be featured throughout National Geographics social and digital platforms, including in the National Geographic publication and the acclaimed podcast, Overheard at National Geographic. A thorough story about the finding of Endurance, including its historical importance, is available on natgeo.com now.
I would like to thank my coworkers of The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust for enabling this remarkable exploration to take place, as well as Saab for their innovation, and the whole group of dedicated experts who have been included in this huge discovery.”
” The Endurance22 exploration has reached its objective. I would likewise like to say thank you to The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, and all of our partners, specifically in South Africa, who have actually played an important function in the success of the expedition.”
Under the management of Dr. Lasse Rabenstein, Endurance22s Chief Scientist, a world leading group of scientists from research study and instructional organizations effectively carried out hundreds of hours of climate change associated studies over the period of the exploration. The group has also been shooting for a long-form observational documentary chronicling the expedition which has been commissioned by National Geographic to air later on this year.