Enduring Discoveries

It starts with a captain’s records, melting ice, a determination to succeed… 2022 saw one of the most significant missions in the history of Antarctic heritage conservation. The wreck of Endurance was discovered by a search team on 5th March, more than 100 years after sinking in the Weddell Sea. Lying at a depth of almost 10,000 feet, the ship is reported to be in excellent condition and has been designated as a protected historic site and monument under the Antarctic Treaty System. But how do you go about finding a lost ship? Detailed records from the ship’s captain helped the team to identify its location, whilst record low levels of sea ice aided in its discovery. But once you find a shipwreck, what do you do next? On the anniversary of its sinking, we’ll relive the journey to find Endurance and discuss how we should approach its conservation now that it has been found. Joining UKAHT’s Camilla Nichol are John Shears, expedition leader with Endurance22, and Hefin Meara, maritime archaeologist with Historic England. Together they will uncover this amazing discovery process, the impossible conditions faced and the complex challenges of deciding how to protect the ship in future. Meet our speakers: Camilla Nichol is UKAHT’s Chief Executive. She has worked in the museums and heritage sector for 20 years. She holds an AMA from the Museums Association and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Dr John Shears is a polar geographer and expedition leader with over 30 years’ experience of working in both Antarctica and the Arctic. Hefin Meara is a maritime archaeologist at Historic England, with responsibility for marine designation casework and the management of Protected Wrecks. Discover a new season of Antarctica In Sight: Live! our online talks bringing together scientists, adventurers, artists and historians to explore the past, present and future of Antarctica, and what we need to do to protect this extraordinary place. Join our interactive events and pose your questions to the panel in real time, as we discuss everything from frozen shipwrecks and flatpack architecture, to festive dining in the extremes. Image Credit: Endurance22, CC BY-SA 4.0 httpscreativecommons.orglicensesby-sa4.0, via Wikimedia Commons