Shipwreck Endurance still 'bold and beautiful' after a century in Antarctic waters

[peppertree]

The wreck of one of the world’s 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 ship’s 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 expedition’s 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]

1. Thanks. I'll be waiting for the documentary.

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 ship’s 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 ship’s wheel of the Endurance
cr. Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust and National Geographic

[peppertree]

2. You're welcome. Makes you wonder how much else is still down there, waiting to be found.

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]

5. I love these deep sea recovery docs. Both the history & skill is admirable

But if they said they were recovering a spaceship, I think I'd doubt the reality.

[peppertree]

7. Of course.

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]

9. Lol. Oh I got your humor & a flashback to a b&w TV show of a wobbling...

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]

12. Why, thank you.

The Thing, you'll recall, was set in Antarctica - and likewise involved a long-submerged ship of sorts.

Makes you wonder about some of those Faux News hosts...

[Joinfortmill]

3. Beautiful.

[peppertree]

4. Isn't it though

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]

6. They said "Since it is considered a historic site, nothing on the wreck was touched -- it will be lef

"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]

8. Is that right? Well I suppose it's for the best.

Perhaps recovering it would only damage it, from those depths and all.

Luckily, these days they can take great footage of such things.

[Budi]

10. When you hear of the documentary's airing date, post it please?

Thanks.
This is exciting stuff.

[peppertree]

11. Will do.