New footage sheds light on Scott’s legendary polar vessel

 

New footage sheds light on Scott’s legendary polar vessel

(Image courtesy: Schmidt Ocean Institute) 

From Hydro

For the first time, detailed footage has been released of the Terra Nova, the iconic polar vessel that carried Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his team on their ill-fated South Pole expedition more than a century ago.
Resting 170 metres below the surface off the coast of Greenland, the Terra Nova has a history that extends well beyond its role in Antarctic exploration.
After Scott’s expedition, the ship remained in service until 1943, when it sank while transporting supplies to US bases during World War II.
Although the wreck was discovered in 2012 by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, this latest mission provided the first opportunity to film it in detail.

The expedition, years in the planning due to the site’s remoteness, was carried out under international maritime heritage protocols.
Initial findings reveal the Terra Nova sustained major damage during its sinking.
After the crew was rescued, the ship caught fire and was scuttled by coastguard vessels to prevent it from drifting.
Today, the stern shows extensive damage, while the bow has split in two.
Still, many of the ship’s defining features remain recognizable.

The vessel’s most famous chapter came during the British Antarctic Expedition of 1910–1913, better known as the Terra Nova Expedition.
Scott’s team reached the South Pole in January 1912, only to discover that Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen had beaten them by 34 days.
Scott and four companions perished on the return journey, cementing the expedition’s tragic place in history.

Despite its condition, maritime historians say the new footage offers a rare and invaluable record of one of exploration’s most enduring symbols.
Sonar surveys conducted in 2012 by the Schmidt Ocean Institute pinpointed the wreck’s location. 

 

Links :

• BBC : Captain Scott’s famous polar shipwreck as never seen before 
• UK Antractic Heritage Trust : New photos and videos of Scott's wrecked ship Terra Nova