Nearly 400 metres below the Labrador Sea lies the wreck of the Quest, which sank in 1962. This week, a Royal Canadian Geographical Society-funded expedition will use advanced underwater imaging technology from Waterloo-based Voyis to create a detailed digital model of the ship that once carried Sir Ernest Shackleton on his final journey. The 21-day mission, which departs from Massachusetts, will also survey the ship Terra Nova, associated with explorer Robert Falcon Scott. CBC News will provide exclusive coverage from the research vessel Atlantis as scientists document the wrecks. The expedition signifies a shift towards digitally preserving shipwrecks instead of physically recovering them, offering a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity for researchers to explore the wrecks and their surrounding debris fields for historical insights.
Why It Matters
The Quest is historically significant as it was associated with Sir Ernest Shackleton, a renowned Antarctic explorer who died aboard in 1922. The ship remained operational for four decades after Shackleton’s death, serving in World War II and later as a sealing vessel before sinking off the coast of Labrador. The use of state-of-the-art imaging technology in underwater archaeology represents a transformative approach that prioritizes the preservation of fragile historical sites. This expedition aims to enhance understanding of maritime history by providing insights into the wrecks that may reveal details about their final moments and the conditions surrounding their sinking.
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