- Divers exploring the wreck of the HMS Erebus, which was lost during the Franklin expedition in 1845, have discovered a variety of intriguing artifacts, including pistols, coins, and an intact thermometer.
- Underwater archaeologists conducted multiple dives and excavated a seamen’s chest, revealing military items, footwear, and medicinal bottles.
- Video footage released by Parks Canada shows divers retrieving artifacts and scientists examining the items in a lab, while thousands of high-resolution photos and 3-D models were captured to assess the site’s vulnerability and monitor changes over time.
Additional Coverage:
In 1845, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror embarked on a mission to chart a passage around the top of North America, led by Captain Sir John Franklin. Unfortunately, both ships were lost in the frigid waters off Canada’s coast, resulting in the deaths of all 129 men on board. This expedition is considered the worst disaster in British polar exploration history.
Recently, divers exploring the wreck of the HMS Erebus discovered a variety of intriguing artifacts, such as pistols, coins, and even an intact thermometer. Underwater archaeologists conducted multiple dives over 12 days to investigate and document the shipwreck. They excavated a seamen’s chest and found numerous items including military items, footwear, and medicinal bottles.
In other areas of the wreck, archaeologists discovered a leather shoe, storage jars, and a sealed medicine bottle believed to be Captain Franklin’s pantry. They also found items related to navigation, science, and leisure in an officer’s cabin, including a parallel rule, thermometer, leather book cover, and a fishing rod with a brass reel. Video footage of the expedition was released by Parks Canada, showing divers retrieving artifacts and scientists examining the items in a lab.
The archaeologists also captured thousands of high-resolution photos of the HMS Erebus to create 3-D models of the wreck site. This will help assess how the site is changing over time, especially considering its vulnerability to storm waves. The team also conducted remote sensing of the HMS Terror, capturing images to better understand its condition and mapping the vessel access corridor in the uncharted bay.
The exact cause of the ships’ demise, believed to be ice entrapment, remains a mystery. So far, officials have relied on Inuit oral histories to piece together the events. Parks Canada has been collaborating with the Nattilik Heritage Society and Inuit Heritage Trust to explore the wrecks.
The retrieved artifacts will undergo conservation treatment before being displayed at the Nattilik Heritage Centre in Gjoa Haven, an Inuit hamlet in Nunavut. This ongoing exploration sheds light on the Franklin expedition, which remains a popular mystery from the 19th century. The work of Parks Canada and its Inuit partners allows us to better understand the incredible events of this expedition.