National Geographic will soon air an epic documentary detailing the successful search and discovery of one of the great lost shipwrecks of history — Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance.
Ernest Shackleton received the National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal — the organisation’s highest honour — for his Antarctic exploration in 1910.
Organised by the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, the expedition to locate the shipwreck set off from Cape Town on 5 February 2022 for a voyage to the Weddell Sea. The expedition was led by polar geographer Dr John Shears with marine archaeologist Mensun Bound as Director of Exploration. With them, onboard the South African icebreaker Agulhas II is a crew of scientists and archaeologists alongside a team of highly experienced environment filmmakers.
‘We salute the team at the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, Dr John Shears, Mensun Bound, and the crew of scientists and archaeologists aboard the South African icebreaker Agulhas II for this incredible discovery and for opening a new chapter in one of the most fabled stories in exploration history,’ said Debra OConnell, President, Networks, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution.
The team is still on location, studying the wreck and documenting their findings. They are set to begin their return voyage back to Cape Town this month. The wreck will remain untouched and without any artefacts removed, where it has laid for more than a century — but the results of the discovery will provide significant insights into Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic expedition and offer an incredible opportunity to bring the stories of Shackleton to new generations.
Picture: Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust and James Blake
Courteney Monroe, President of National Geographic Content, said: ‘It is our hope — along with our incredible partners on this project — that the blockbuster story behind Shackleton’s Endurance, featuring exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to the high-stakes adventure, will inspire the next generation of explorers and adventurers.’ The channel partnered with History Hit, Little Dot Studios and Consequential for this documentary.
Pictures: Supplied
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