After more than 107 years since its sinking, a team of scientists has discovered the wreckage of the ship "Sir Ernest Shackleton" off the coast of Antarctica. The ship had been lost in the ice and sank in the Weddell Sea in 1915, and its wreck was not located until the "Endurance 22" mission departed from Cape Town, South Africa, last month. The mission team successfully found the wreck at a depth of 3,008 meters, approximately 4 miles south of the last recorded position of the ship.
Mission leader John Shears described the discovery of the shipwreck as "one of the most difficult shipwreck searches in the world," according to The Guardian. Shears added, "In addition to finding the wreck, we were able to conduct important scientific research in the area related to climate and the environment." Meanwhile, mission exploration director Mensun Bound stated, "The images show the wreckage in good condition. We can consider it the best wooden shipwreck I've ever seen."
Bound explained, "Finding the ship represents an inspiring story for young people to instill a spirit of courage and determination in achieving goals, even if they are difficult, just as our mission was in Antarctica." Historian Dan Snow remarked that the wreck was in "remarkably cohesive condition due to the environmental conditions of Antarctica." It is noteworthy that the mission did not retrieve the wreckage, as it is protected under the Antarctic Treaty, but a comprehensive survey was conducted.
