After weeks of searching, a team that included a number of South Africans has located the wreck of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship, Endurance.
Endurance was abandoned in Antarctica by Shackleton and his crew after being crushed by sea-ice in 1915.
Expedition leader, Dr John Shears, hailed the find as an ‘incredible achievement’.
‘We have successfully completed the world’s most difficult shipwreck search, battling constantly shifting sea-ice, blizzards, and temperatures dropping down to -18C. We have achieved what many people said was impossible.’
Despite the wreck having lain at the bottom of the Weddel Sea at a depth of 3,008 metres for 107 years, it has been remarkably well-preserved.
Director of Exploration and marine biologist, Mensun Bound, told the BBC that ‘Without any exaggeration this is the finest wooden shipwreck I have ever seen – by far’. Adding: ‘It is upright, well proud of the seabed, intact, and in a brilliant state of preservation.’
The expedition, dubbed Endurance22, departed from Cape Town on the S.A. Agulhas II, a South African polar research vessel under Master, Capt. Knowledge Bengu.
Bengu, 36, was born in the Durban township of Umlazi and is South Africa’s first licensed black ice pilot – a qualification enabling him to navigate some of the world’s most treacherous seas.
He was ably assisted by Captain Michael Mdluli, Ice Pilot Captain Freddie Lighthelm, Chief Officer Reagan Paul, Chief Engineer Themba Tshongweni, and a crew of 43 South African seafarers.
Donald Lamont, chairman of the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, congratulated Director of Exploration, Dr John Shears, and Subsea Project Manager, Nico Vincent, on the discovery, and expressed high praise for all involved.
Lamont said the success of the project ‘has been the result of impressive cooperation among many people, both on board the remarkable S.A. Agulhas II with its outstanding Master and crew, a skilled and committed expedition team and many on whose support we have depended in the UK, South Africa, Germany, France, the United States and elsewhere.’
Shears also praised South Africa’s involvement:
He said: ‘We will shortly begin our return leg to Cape Town, after an expedition which it has been my great privilege and honour to lead. The Expedition team, and the officers and crew of the S.A. Agulhas II, have been simply outstanding. I would also like to say thank you to the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, and all of our partners, especially in South Africa, who have played a vital role in the success of the expedition.’
Agulhas II began its return journey to Cape Town on Tuesday, but will dock at the island of South Georgia where Shackleton’s remains are buried.
‘We will pay our respects to “The Boss”,’ said Shears, referencing the nickname used for Shackleton by his crew.
Coincidentally, Endurance was discovered on the 100th anniversary of Shackleton’s funeral.
[Image: By Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust/National Geographic https://endurance22.org/endurance-is-found, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70267845]