Searching for the Lost Ship

When the end finally came, it came quickly.

It was November 21, 1915. Explorer Ernest Shackleton was in the heart of the Weddell Sea, part of the icy ocean that surrounds the continent of Antarctica. And his ship was sinking. 

More than a year earlier, Shackleton and his crew had set sail for Antarctica on a ship called the Endurance. His goal was to be the first person to walk across the entire continent. But in January, just five months into their journey, their ship had become trapped in the thick slabs of ice covering the sea.

By October, the 28 men had been forced to leave the Endurance and set up camp on the sea’s frozen surface.

Now, from their camp on the ice, Shackleton spied the ship beginning to sink. 

“She’s going, boys!” he shouted. The men gathered to watch as the mighty ship was swallowed up by the sea in just minutes. Then the ice quickly closed over it again, as if the ship had never existed.    

Shackleton and his crew were alone in the coldest, harshest, emptiest place on the planet. There were no other people for hundreds of miles. 

About 10,000 feet below their boots, their ship lay sealed in an icy tomb. It seemed that the Endurance would be lost forever . . . until more than 100 years later, when another crew went looking for it.

When the end finally came, it came quickly.

It was November, 1915. Explorer Ernest Shackleton was in the middle of the Weddell Sea, part of the icy ocean around the continent of Antarctica. And his ship was sinking. 

More than a year earlier, Shackleton and his crew had left for Antarctica on a ship called the Endurance. His goal was to be the first person to walk across the whole continent. But in January, just five months into the crew’s journey, their ship had become trapped in the thick ice covering the sea.

By October, the 28 men had to leave the Endurance. They camped on the sea’s frozen surface.

Now, from their camp on the ice, Shackleton saw the ship starting to sink. 

“She’s going, boys!” he shouted. The men watched as the ship sank into the sea in minutes. Then the ice quickly closed over it again.    

Shackleton and his crew were alone in the coldest, emptiest place on the planet. There were no other people for hundreds of miles. 

Their ship was 10,000 feet below them. It seemed the Endurance would be lost forever. That was until more than 100 years later, when another crew went looking for it.

On January 3, 2019, a new ship set off toward the Weddell Sea. Like Shackleton, the people on board wanted to make history. They hoped to find the famous explorer’s sunken ship.

One of the crew’s leaders was a man named Mensun Bound. He’s a marine archaeologist, a scientist who studies shipwrecks and other human-made objects underwater to understand their history.

Bound had been fascinated by Shackleton since he was a kid, when his father told him stories of the explorer’s adventures. He had always dreamed of finding the Endurance.

To figure out where to search for the wreck, Bound studied records and diaries left by the Endurance’s crew. One of the men, Frank Worsley, had written down a rough estimate of where the ship sank. That’s where Bound’s ship was headed now. On board with him were expedition leader John Shears and a team of nearly 100 scientists, engineers, and crew members. 

“This is the most unreachable wreck the world has ever known,” Bound wrote in his journal as they began the hunt. “Everything is going to be difficult.”

In January 2019, a new ship set off toward the Weddell Sea. Like Shackleton, the people on board wanted to make history. They hoped to find the famous explorer’s sunken ship.

One of the crew’s leaders was a man named Mensun Bound. He’s a type of scientist who studies shipwrecks and other human-made objects underwater to understand their history.

Bound had been fascinated by Shackleton since he was a kid. His father had told him stories of the explorer’s adventures. He had always dreamed of finding the Endurance.

To figure out where to search for the wreck, Bound studied records and diaries left by the Endurance’s crew. One of the men had written down a guess of where the ship sank. That’s where Bound’s ship was headed now. On board with him were expedition leader John Shears and a team of nearly 100 scientists, engineers, and crew members. 

“This is the most unreachable wreck the world has ever known,” Bound wrote in his journal as they began the hunt. “Everything is going to be difficult.”

For decades, hunting for the Endurance had seemed impossible. The biggest challenge was its location.

Antarctica sits at the southernmost part of the globe, hundreds of miles from any other land. A thick sheet of ice covers 98 percent of its surface. In winter, temperatures can drop to nearly -130 degrees Fahrenheit—colder than anywhere else on Earth. 

The Weddell Sea, off Antarctica’s northeastern coast, is one of the world’s wildest, most dangerous places. Powerful currents spin the water in a giant circle. Huge slabs of frozen seawater, known as ice floes, whirl around and crash into each other. Closer to land, these floes become more tightly packed, like a giant frozen puzzle. During the colder months, from March to September, the entire sea freezes over completely. 

Since the Endurance had sunk in 1915, only two other ships had dared to sail as far into the Weddell Sea as Bound and his team were now headed. Anyone who went looking for the Endurance risked getting caught in the same icy claws that had trapped the famous ship.

For decades, hunting for the Endurance had seemed impossible. The biggest challenge was its location.

Antarctica is at the southernmost part of the globe. It’s hundreds of miles from any other land. A thick sheet of ice covers 98 percent of its surface. In winter, temperatures can drop to nearly -130 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s colder than anywhere else on Earth. 

The Weddell Sea is one of the world’s most wild and dangerous places. Powerful currents spin the water in a giant circle. Huge pieces of frozen seawater, known as ice floes, float on the water. They whirl and crash into each other. Closer to land, these floes are tightly packed. During the colder months, from March to September, the entire sea freezes. 

Few ships had ever dared to sail as far into the Weddell Sea as Bound and his team were now headed. Anyone who went looking for the Endurance risked getting caught in the same ice that had trapped the famous ship.

Another major challenge in finding the wreck was that it was thought to be 10,000 feet below the surface. At that depth, human divers cannot survive the near-freezing temperatures and crushing water pressure. 

Bound and his team could attempt a search only because of recent advances in technology. They were on a special ship called an icebreaker, which has a powerful engine and steel sides that can ram through tough ice. And they had an underwater drone that could dive down to the deep-sea floor. This robot would search for the wreck with sonar, a device that uses sound waves to find things underwater. Similar technology has helped scientists discover other important deep-sea shipwrecks, like the Titanic in 1985. 

But as the team soon learned, even modern technology has its limits.

Another major challenge in finding the wreck was that it was 10,000 feet below the surface. At that depth, human divers cannot survive. The temperature is near-freezing. The water pressure is crushing. 

Bound and his team could try to search only because of new technology. They were on a special ship called an icebreaker. It had a powerful engine. Its sides were made of steel so it could ram through tough ice. And they had an underwater drone. It could dive down to the deep-sea floor. This robot would search for the wreck with sonar. That’s a device that uses sound waves to find things underwater. Similar technology has helped scientists find other deep-sea shipwrecks, like the Titanic in 1985. 

But as the team soon learned, even new technology has its limits.

As Bound and his crew drew closer to their destination, the icebreaker ship had more and more trouble slamming through the thickening ice. At one point, it was stuck for an entire day. Luckily, the floes shifted by the next morning, and the ship was able to break free. 

At last, on February 10, 2019, the crew reached the search area. They launched the drone deep into the dark water. As the robot scanned the seafloor, it was supposed to send signals to the ship above so the crew would know it was still working. 

But after about 30 hours, disaster struck: The drone went silent.

Had the robot gotten trapped under the ice? Run out of batteries? For two days, the team hunted for the drone, which had cost millions of dollars. Finally, with dangerous weather closing in, they were forced to return home. 

“It was literally one of the worst moments of my life,” Bound later said.

As Bound and his crew got closer to their destination, the icebreaker ship had more and more trouble getting through the thicker ice. At one point, it was stuck for a whole day. Luckily, the floes moved by the next morning, and the ship was able to break free. 

At last, in February 2019, the crew got to the search area. They sent the drone deep into the dark water. The robot was supposed to send signals to the ship above so the crew would know it was still working. 

But after about 30 hours, disaster struck. The drone stopped sending signals.

Had the robot gotten stuck? Had it run out of batteries? For two days, the team looked for the drone. It had cost millions of dollars. Finally, with dangerous weather coming soon, they had to return home. 

“It was literally one of the worst moments of my life,” Bound later said. 

In his frustration and disappointment, Bound thought of Shackleton and his crushed dreams. 

On that bitter day in November 1915, the explorer and his crew watched in panic as their ship vanished beneath the Weddell Sea. Their chances of survival seemed nonexistent.

But Shackleton refused to let himself—or the team—give in to hopelessness. 

In April 1916, with food running out, he led his men into three small lifeboats. They sailed for seven days through icy waves, until they reached a small chunk of land called Elephant Island. The island was rocky and bare, completely empty of people. Shackleton knew they could not survive there for long.

So he soon set off again, with a smaller crew of five men. They would sail more than 800 miles to get help on South Georgia Island, the closest human settlement. The lives of the entire crew were now in their hands.

During this difficult time, Bound thought of Shackleton and his crushed dreams. 

On that day in November 1915, the explorer and his crew watched as their ship sank into the Weddell Sea. Their chances of survival seemed low.

But Shackleton didn’t let himself—or the team—give up or feel hopeless. 

In April 1916, with food running out, he led his men into three small lifeboats. They sailed for seven days, until they reached a small island called Elephant Island. It was rocky and empty. Shackleton knew they could not survive there for long.

So he soon set off again, with a smaller crew of five men. They would sail more than 800 miles to get help on South Georgia Island, the closest place where humans lived. The lives of the entire crew depended on them.

Like Shackleton, Bound and his team did not let their failure keep them down. By February 2022, they were back on their ship, searching for the Endurance once again. 

This time, they had an underwater drone that was attached to the ship with a cable so it could not get lost. And they had a better way to track the movement of the sea ice, to help keep them from getting stuck. It involved using images of the ice from space and a complex computer system to predict where the ice might be heading.

With this information, the ship carefully made its way through the icy search area. The new drone combed back and forth over the seafloor. It sent images and data up to computer monitors on the ship above, where scientists looked closely  for signs of the wreck.

But day after day, they saw nothing but the flat seafloor. Meanwhile, winter was coming again. The ship was hit by blizzard after blizzard. It was so cold that one crew member’s tears froze, gluing his eyelid shut. 

The team would have to leave soon, before the sea froze over completely. Or they might not make it home.

Like Shackleton, Bound and his team did not let their failure keep them down. By February 2022, they were back on their ship, searching for the Endurance again. 

This time, they had an underwater drone that was attached to the ship with a cable. It could not get lost. And they had a better way to track the movement of the sea ice. This would help keep them from getting stuck. 

With this information, the ship carefully made its way through the search area. The new drone went back and forth over the seafloor. It sent images and data up to computer screens on the ship above. There, scientists looked closely for the wreck.

But day after day, they saw nothing but the flat seafloor. Meanwhile, winter was coming again. The ship was hit by blizzard after blizzard. It was so cold that one crew member’s tears froze, gluing his eyelid shut. 

The team would have to leave soon, before the sea froze over. Or they might not make it home.

Sailing toward South Georgia Island in 1916, Shackleton and his men also feared they might not make it. Their tiny lifeboat was knocked around violently in the stormy sea. Towering waves crashed down on them, icy water soaking them to the bone. 

Yet miraculously, after 16 days, they made it to their destination. They borrowed a ship and soon set out to rescue the rest of the crew.

Approaching Elephant Island on August 30, Shackleton held his breath. Were any of his men still alive? He peered through his binoculars . . . and saw one tiny figure waving at him. Then another. Then another. There were 22 total.

He couldn’t believe it: Every single man had survived.

Shackleton never achieved his goal of becoming the first person to cross Antarctica. But today, his expedition is remembered as one of the greatest survival stories in history.

Sailing toward South Georgia Island in 1916, Shackleton and his men also feared they might not make it. Their tiny lifeboat was knocked around in the stormy sea. Tall waves crashed down on them. They were soaked with icy water.

Yet miraculously, after 16 days, they made it to their destination. They borrowed a ship and went to rescue the rest of the crew.

When they got to Elephant Island on August 30, Shackleton was worried. Were any of his men still alive? He looked through his binoculars. He saw one person waving at him. Then another. Then another. There were 22 total.

He couldn’t believe it: Every single man was alive.

Shackleton never reached his goal of becoming the first person to cross Antarctica. But today, his expedition is remembered as one of the greatest survival stories in history.

On March 5, 2022, the drone was once again lowered into the water to search for the shipwreck. Bound and Shears, the expedition leader, decided to take a walk on the ice. Both men were anxious—they had just three days left to search. But as they crunched through the snow, Shears’ mood suddenly brightened. “Today will be a good day,” he said. “I think the Endurance is beneath our feet!” Bound wasn’t so sure.

As soon as they returned to the ship, a message crackled over the loudspeakers: “Shears and Bound to the bridge immediately.” The two men rushed to the ship’s bridge, or command center, their hearts pounding. Had they lost the drone? Had there been an accident?

When they reached the bridge, however, other team members were smiling. “Gents,” one of them said, holding up his phone, “let me introduce you to the Endurance.”

And there it was on the tiny screen: Shackleton’s ship. It was upright on the seafloor and beautifully preserved, as if it had sunk only the day before. The entire crew soon erupted into cheers, laughing and crying. 

“I felt my whole life had been narrowing to that moment,”
Bound said.

On March 5, 2022, the drone was once again lowered into the water to search for the shipwreck. Bound and Shears, the expedition leader, decided to take a walk on the ice. Both men were worried. They had just three days left to search. But as they walked through the snow, Shears’ mood got better. “Today will be a good day,” he said. “I think the Endurance is beneath our feet!” Bound wasn’t so sure.

As soon as they returned to the ship, a message came over the loudspeakers: “Shears and Bound to the bridge immediately.” The two men rushed to the ship’s bridge, or command center, their hearts pounding. Had they lost the drone? Had there been an accident?

When they reached the bridge, however, other team members were smiling. “Gents,” one of them said, holding up his phone, “let me introduce you to the Endurance.”

And there it was on the tiny screen: Shackleton’s ship. It was beautifully preserved. It looked like it had sunk only the day before. The entire crew cheered. 

“I felt my whole life had been narrowing to that moment,” Bound said.

Over the next couple of days, the drone dove back down to take
photos, videos, and scans of the wreck. The images revealed a fascinating collection of artifacts: the ship’s wheel, plates and pots, leather boots. Most dazzling of all were the brass letters on the back of the ship, spelling out ENDURANCE. These images created a sensation as news of the discovery made headlines around the world.

The ship—and all it holds—will remain at the bottom of the sea, where it is protected by law as a historical site. But the scans and images have been used to make a virtual 3-D model of the ship. This model is being shown online and in museums so people around the globe can virtually explore the Endurance.

By sharing Shackleton’s ship with the world, Bound wants to keep the explorer’s legacy alive. He hopes that Shackleton’s courage, determination, and leadership will continue to inspire people—especially young people. “We are bringing the story of Shackleton and Endurance to new audiences and to the next generation,” he said. 

Over the next couple of days, the drone dove back down to take photos, videos, and scans of the wreck. The images showed artifacts, like the ship’s wheel, plates and pots, and leather boots. Most amazing of all were the metal letters on the back of the ship, spelling out ENDURANCE. These images and news of the discovery made headlines around the world.

The ship—and all it holds—will stay at the bottom of the sea. It is kept safe by law as a historical place. But the scans and images have been used to make a virtual 3-D model of the ship. This model is being shown online and in museums so people can  explore the Endurance virtually.

By sharing Shackleton’s ship with the world, Bound wants to keep the explorer’s legacy alive. He hopes that Shackleton’s story will continue to inspire people—especially young people. “We are bringing the story of Shackleton and Endurance to new audiences and to the next generation,” he said.