The Endurance, which sank in Antarctica in 1915, is one of the most legendary ships lost. Now 107 years later, scientists have found it at the bottom of the Weddel ocean, on a mission considered extremely difficult.
The Endurance was boarded by eminent explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton on his expedition to Antarctica. Endurance is damaged by ice and drowns, while Ernest and his team manage to escape.
The project to locate the ship was carried out by the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust (FMHT) using the Agulhas II ice destroyer equipped with a remotely operated submarine.
"The discovery of this wreck is a remarkable achievement. We have successfully completed the most difficult search for the wreckage, constantly fighting with ice, cold and temperatures dropping to minus 18 degrees. We achieved what people said was impossible," said Dr John Sears, expert veteran geographer leading this mission.
As quoted by us from the BBC, the wooden Endurance was found at a depth of about 3,000 meters and is in fairly good condition, considering that it has been buried in ice for a century.
Although previously undiscovered, this ship has been considered a historical monument under the rules of the International Antarctic Treaty agreed upon by many countries. Therefore, the team did not touch the ship or bring it to the surface, but only recorded it.
The Endurance ship is still quite intact in its form, as when it was last photographed in 1915. Various marine animals inhabit this ship. "Endurance is filled with an impressive variety of marine life," said Dr Michelle Taylor from Essex University, UK.