The long-lost ship of famed explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton has been discovered off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, more than a century after it sank in the icy waters of the Antarctic.
The ship, named the Quest, was found by a team of researchers from the Arctic Research Foundation (ARF) using advanced sonar technology. The discovery was announced on Monday, marking a significant moment in the history of polar exploration.
The Quest was the final vessel used by Shackleton on his ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition in 1921. The ship was carrying Shackleton and his crew on a mission to cross the Antarctic continent, but it was beset by pack ice and eventually sank in the Weddell Sea.
Despite the ship’s sinking, Shackleton and his crew were able to make it to Elephant Island, where they were eventually rescued. The Quest, however, remained lost at sea, with its exact location remaining a mystery for over a century.
The ARF team, led by expedition leader Adrian Schimnowski, spent three years searching for the Quest using side-scan sonar technology. The team was able to locate the ship in the waters off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately 3,000 kilometers from where it was last seen.
The discovery of the Quest is a significant moment for the ARF team, who have been dedicated to finding the ship for years. Schimnowski described the moment of the discovery as “emotional” and “surreal.”
The team was able to confirm the identity of the ship by comparing the sonar images to historical photographs and plans of the Quest. The ship’s bow, stern, and other key features were all clearly visible in the sonar images.
The discovery of the Quest not only sheds light on the final moments of Shackleton’s expedition, but it also serves as a reminder of the bravery and determination of the explorers who risked their lives in the name of discovery.
The ARF team plans to continue their research on the Quest, using underwater robots to explore the ship and gather more information about its history and condition. The team hopes that the discovery will help to preserve the legacy of Shackleton and his crew for future generations.
The Quest will now join the ranks of other famous polar exploration ships, such as the HMS Erebus and the HMS Terror, which were also recently discovered in the Arctic. The discovery of these ships serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration and the importance of preserving our history.
