Shipwreck Endurance found in excellent condition after more than a hundred years

One hundred years after the death of famed explorer Ernest Shackleton, his ship, the Endurance, has been found. The wreck lies at a depth of more than three kilometers at the bottom of the Weddell Sea.

The wreckage was found in excellent condition by the Endurance22 Expedition Team. “This is by far the most beautiful wooden shipwreck I’ve ever seen,” said expedition leader Mensun Bound. There are no micro-organisms present in the ice-cold water that eat the wood. “It is even possible to see the word Endurance on the stern. We hope this find will inspire young people by the pioneering spirit, courage and determination of those who sailed to Antarctica aboard the Endurance.”

“We were able to locate, survey and film the wreckage,” said Donald Lamont, chairman of the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust. “We were also able to conduct important scientific research.” During the search for the Endurance, scientists aboard the SA Agulhas II conducted hundreds of hours of scientific research, mainly focusing on the impact of climate change on the area. Research has been done into the thickness of the sea ice, drift ice and weather conditions in the Weddell Sea.

The masts of the ship have fallen down and there is some minor damage to the bow, but otherwise the wreck looks good. Even boots and crockery were found on board the ship.

This underwater robot from Saab – the Sabertooth – was used to find the wreck.

The word Endurance is clearly visible on the stern.

The steering wheel is still in excellent condition. Pay special attention to the special details, such as the untouched thin slats above the entrance to the cabin.

Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition

In 1914 Ernest Shackleton started an expedition to Antarctica. He wanted to cross the continent. But things go wrong very early on. Shackleton’s ship—his own Endurance—gets trapped in the ice in January 1915 and wrecks. With lifeboats, Shackleton manages to reach the uninhabited Elephant Island.

After several months of waiting for help, Shackleton knows all too well that he will have to seek it himself. He sails with some of his strongest men from Elephant Island to South Georgia. A journey of almost 1500 kilometers. Next, Shackleton and his men faced an enormous challenge: crossing hilly South Georgia to arrive at Stromness and ask for help from Norwegian whaling stations from this station. Shackleton made it and got help. All crew members were rescued.

One Hundred Years After Shackleton’s Death

It is special that the wreck of the Endurance was found in 2022. Exactly one hundred years ago, Shackleton died of a heart attack at the age of 47. The researcher had a hole in his heart. “The detection and treatment of an atrial septal defect is relatively simple today, but was not possible for Shackleton,” said study researcher Ian Calder.