The final expedition vessel of renowned British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, the Quest, has been located in the depths of the Atlantic near the coast of Canada, search teams reported on Wednesday.
The head of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, John Geiger, informed the press that the wreckage was discovered in the Labrador Sea at 390 meters (1,280 feet) below the surface.
“This ship has significant historical importance. It was the last expedition vessel of Sir Shackleton,” said Geiger.
“It was on this vessel where he passed away during his final journey” to the Antarctic, Geiger stated, noting that the Quest remained operational for many years after until it ultimately sank in the 1960s.
EXPEDITION NEWS. @RCGS_SGRC @CanGeo CEO @JohnGGeiger and an international panel of experts are conducting a search in the Labrador Sea for the wreck of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s #QUEST. Thanks to @MemorialU @marineinstitute @WeAreShackleton @FramMuseum @ExplorersClub https://t.co/AvieYihdcA pic.twitter.com/crpZjWRwJR
— Royal Canadian Geographical Society (@RCGS_SGRC) June 10, 2024
Utilizing sonar technology, the search team found the wooden-hulled, schooner-rigged steamship last Sunday.
David Mearns, a shipwreck discovery expert, explained that they confirmed its identification by comparing the sonar measurements with the Quest‘s documented specifications, finding a perfect match.
Mearns further stated that, “The wreckage’s condition aligns with the details we know about its sinking, and it lies in a unique location where there are no other similar shipwrecks. Therefore, we are confident that this wreck is indeed the Quest,” he affirmed.
He presented sonar imagery of the shipwreck, noting that it is “largely intact,” resting upright on its keel with a slight tilt to its port side, and its main mast was spotted on the ocean floor.
A subsequent mission planned for later this year aims to capture photographs and gather further details about the wreck.
Remembering Shackleton’s Epic Adventures
Shackleton’s reputation as an exploration hero was cemented after surviving a treacherous escape following the sinking of his ship Endurance in the frigid waters off Antarctica in 1915.
Stranded on drifting sea ice, his crew eventually launched lifeboats to reach Elephant Island, an inhospitable location where they established a makeshift camp. Shackleton and five crew members then set off in the sturdiest lifeboat on a perilous 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) journey to South Georgia, a British colony with a whaling outpost.
Their daring 17-day open-boat voyage, navigated by sextant, stands as one of maritime history’s most extraordinary feats of survival. Miraculously, all 28 of the expedition’s members were rescued.
Shackleton succumbed to a heart attack at the age of 47 on the Quest while it was anchored near South Georgia.
Subsequently, the Quest saw a variety of uses such as other expeditions, Arctic rescues, and service with the Canadian Navy as a minesweeper in World War II, prior to reverting to its original purpose as a sealing vessel.
The vessel met its end in 1962 when it was compromised by ice and sank near Newfoundland. The entire Norwegian crew survived the ordeal.
© Agence France-Presse
FAQ about the Discovery of Shackleton’s Ship Quest
Where was the ship Quest found?
The ship Quest was found in the Labrador Sea, at a depth of 390 meters (1,280 feet) below the surface, off the coast of Canada.
How was the ship Quest identified?
Identification was achieved by measuring the ship’s precise dimensions with sonar technology and comparing them with historical records of Quest’s known dimensions.
Is the wreck of Quest intact?
According to sonar images shared by the researchers, the wreck of Quest is largely intact, lying upright on the seabed.
What is the historical significance of the ship Quest?
The Quest is historically significant as it was the last expedition vessel of Sir Ernest Shackleton, a legendary British polar explorer.
What are the plans for the Quest’s shipwreck?
Plans include a further expedition later this year to photograph and document the shipwreck more comprehensively.