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‘Endurance’ Is Found in the Weddell Sea

“The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust is pleased to confirm that the Endurance22 Expedition has located the wreck of Endurance, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship which has not been seen since it was crushed by the ice and sank in the Weddell Sea in 1915.” This is the headline that greeted us this morning as we followed a 3:58 a.m. email link to the Endurance22 Expedition website.

The ship was found within the search area that had been defined based on the records kept by Endurance‘s captain and navigator, Frank Worsley. She lies at a depth of 9,868 feet beneath the surface, and according to reports is perfectly preserved. “This is by far the finest wooden shipwreck I have ever seen. It is upright, well proud of the seabed, intact, and in a brilliant state of preservation. You can even see ‘Endurance’ arced across the stern, directly below the taffrail,” the expedition’s Director of Exploration Mensun Bound said.

Endurance found
The search was conducted using what Nico Vincent, Subsea Project Manager, described as state-of-the-art subsea technologies. “This has been the most complex subsea project ever undertaken, with several world records achieved to ensure the safe detection of Endurance,” Vincent said.
© 2022 Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust
Endurance wheel
The wreck is protected as a Historic Site and Monument under the Antarctic Treaty, which ensures that the wreck will only be surveyed and filmed and will not be touched or disturbed in any way.
© 2022 Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust

Thank you to the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust for making the following video available.

Learn more at Endurance22.org.

2 Comments

  1. James William Cope 2 years ago

    That is fantastic !!!
    Ernest would be very proud indeed.
    She looks wonderful.

  2. Susan 2 years ago

    this is amazing – and the sea life in addition to the level of preservation of the ship.

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Sailing for Your Ears
Ron Geiger has lived on sailboats for over 25 years. He grew up visiting the cove that bears his family name and has since traveled over 50,000 nautical miles.