“Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honor and recognition in case of success.” – unverified recruitment ad written by Ernest Shackleton for his Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914-1917).
The objective was to complete the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent, but en route, Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, became trapped in ice. Incredibly, the crew remained aboard the stranded vessel for 10 months, also pitching camp on the surrounding ice. On October 27, 1915, the pressure of the ice tore off the ship’s rudder and keel. Shackleton had been preparing for such an eventuality, with much of the equipment and provisions relocated to the surrounding ice. The final announcement was given: “She’s going, boys, it’s time to get off,” and with that, the crew removed the last of their possessions before the Endurance sank 10,000 feet to the bottom of the ocean.
One hundred and seven years later, a team of marine archaeologists, technicians, and adventurers have finally relocated the wreck. Using undersea drones to explore a 150 square-mile area, the team battled thick sea ice and extreme sub-zero temperatures. Conditions were so severe that the modern icebreaker, the S.A. Agulhas II, became briefly stuck, demonstrating the immense challenge Shackleton and his crew faced aboard a wooden ship over a century ago.
The Endurance is almost indistinguishable from the last time it was captured by Shackleton’s photographer, Frank Hurley, in 1915. Marine archaeologists explain that the ship’s incredible condition is largely due to the unique biodiversity found in deep-sea Antarctica. Dr Michelle Taylor of Essex University explains, “It would appear that there is little wood deterioration, inferring that the wood-munching animals found in other areas of our ocean are, perhaps unsurprisingly, not in the forest-free Antarctic region.”
Maritime archeologist Mensun Bound states that the Endurance is the most impressive wreck he’s ever seen. “You can see a porthole that is Shackleton’s cabin. At that moment, you really do feel the breath of the great man upon the back of your neck.” The ship will not be recovered but left exactly as is. National Geographic will air a documentary about the search and discovery later this year.
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