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Finding Endurance

Discovering Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Legendary Ship

Location

Antarctica

Service

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Shackleton and his crew attempted to cross the Antarctic as part of the 1914 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

The story of Endurance’s crew is a historic example of survival against the odds

The Endurance22 Expedition included an international team of scientists studying the sea ice ecosystem of the western Weddell Sea.

The wreck is a designated monument under the international Antarctic Treaty and was thus not disturbed in any way.

SEARCH participated in the Endurance22 Expedition that located Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance. Operating from the S.A. 𝘈𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘐𝘐 and using Saab's Sabertooth underwater search vehicles, the wreck was located at a depth of 9,869 feet in the Weddell Sea only four miles from where its captain last recorded its position.

Maritime Archaeology Sector Leader John Albertson participated in the five-week mission, which traversed extreme environments to reach where the shipwreck was crushed by ice and sank in 1915. The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust organized the expedition. 

“We are proud to have been part of the mission that discovered this epic ship. It is a physical reminder of its brave crew’s struggle for survival and the legendary leadership of Sir Ernest Shackleton.”

James Pochurek, President, SEARCH, Inc.

Discovering the Endurance

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Selected media Coverage

Short-form content produced by media partner Little Dot Studios distributed to millions.

Featured in the “Overheard at National Geographic” podcast

Reach the World and the Royal Geographical Society connected the expedition with tens of thousands of students via live stream interviews and classroom materials.

Documentary on the Endurance22 Expedition to premiere as part of National Geographic’s Explorer series