The recent expedition to the wreck of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s final vessel, Quest, has yielded the first detailed images of the sunken ship, providing a poignant glimpse into the maritime history associated with the legendary explorer. This significant mission, orchestrated by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, marked a milestone as the team successfully located the wreck in the Labrador Sea, almost six decades after it sank.
Unveiling the Wreck
Shackleton, an esteemed Anglo-Irish polar explorer, passed away from a heart attack in 1922 while aboard the Quest during an Antarctic voyage. The vessel, originally intended for exploration but later repurposed for sealing operations, ultimately met its fate off the coast of Labrador in 1962.
After two years of meticulous planning, the expedition commenced on Monday, where a remote-operated vehicle captured unprecedented images of the wreck. On Tuesday, a three-member team, including John Geiger, CEO of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, descended 390 metres in the submersible Alvin to witness Quest for the first time since its demise. Notably, the Alvin has a storied history, having previously explored the wreck of the Titanic in 1986.
Geiger described the moment the ship emerged from the darkness as “remarkable”. “You’re crawling along just off the sea bed, and suddenly you realise that there’s a ghostly form of a ship revealing itself,” he recounted. “We were the first people to lay eyes on it since the ship sank in 1962.”
Detailed Survey and Preservation
The expedition team plans to conduct an extensive survey over the coming days, aiming to produce a 3-D model of the wreck for scholarly analysis and public viewing. This initiative also includes the publication of a book featuring photographs from the expedition.
Geiger noted that the wreckage of Quest has endured considerable damage, having been crushed by ice during its sealing activities before sinking. “It’s plunge point, the point where it hit the sea floor, is quite distant from where the wreck is now, so it had a catastrophic kind of impact,” he explained. Despite this, the ship remains recognisable and appears to have become a habitat for marine life, with anemones and pink coral adorning its structure.
Due to the presence of stray fishing nets entangled around parts of the wreck, the submersible was unable to approach certain areas. Geiger mentioned that the team is keen to locate the ship’s original nameplate during their survey of scattered debris.
Future Explorations
Following the survey of Quest, the expedition will turn its attention to another historical shipwreck, Terra Nova, the last vessel of Captain Robert Falcon Scott, who perished in 1912. Terra Nova, launched in Dundee, Scotland in 1884, was repurposed during World War II for supply missions before being deliberately sunk in 1943 after sustaining damage.
Utilising advanced photogrammetric technology from Voyis Imaging, based in Waterloo, Ontario, the team aims to capture intricate details of both wrecks. Among those present on the first dive was Mark Pathy, an accomplished Canadian businessman and philanthropist, who previously ventured to the International Space Station as a commercial astronaut. Pathy expressed hope that the expedition ignites a sense of adventure in young people, inspiring them to explore the planet and discover its hidden wonders.
Shackleton’s Enduring Legacy
Quest was originally a Norwegian sealing vessel, acquired by Shackleton in 1921 for a planned Arctic expedition that ultimately fell through due to funding issues. Instead, he embarked on a mapping mission to Antarctica, where he would tragically pass away. At the time of his death, Quest was anchored near South Georgia, where Shackleton’s grave remains today.
Geiger emphasised the historical significance of Quest, stating, “This is about as close as you can get to Shackleton. He died on that deck. This is where it all ended for him, at age 47 – a great tragedy.”
Why it Matters
This expedition not only sheds light on the rich history of maritime exploration but also serves as a poignant reminder of Shackleton’s legacy, encapsulating the spirit of adventure and resilience that defined his life. The discoveries made at Quest could provide valuable insights into early 20th-century exploration, maritime heritage, and the impact of environmental changes on historical wrecks. As we delve into these underwater artefacts, we are reminded of the narratives that shaped our understanding of exploration and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.