Arctic Wreck Found after 169 Years

After more than 169 years, Canadian researchers discovered one of the two ships from the doomed Arctic expedition of Sir John Franklin, cracking one of the largest mysteries in sea exploration.

The wreck was found some 11 meters below the surface using a ROV recently acquired by Parks Canada. It is unknown whether the ship is HMS Erebus or HMS Terror, though researches expect to determine its identity within several days.

"Franklin's ships are an important part of Canadian history given that his expedition, which took place nearly 170 years ago, laid the foundations of Canada's Arctic sovereignty," said Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper.

Also commenting on the finding, Queen Elizabeth wrote, “I was greatly interested to learn of the discovery of one of the long-lost ships of Captain Sir John Franklin. Prince Philip joins me in sending congratulations and good wishes to all those who played a part in this historic achievement.”

On his fourth Arctic expedition, Royal Navy officer and explorer Franklin departed England in 1845 with his crew to explore the last unnavigated sections of the Northwest Passage when the expedition’s two ships became icebound in Victoria Strait near King William Island, killing all 128 men aboard.

Several artifacts from the expedition have been found over the years, but until this latest discovery there has been no sign of either vessel.

Marty Klein, founder of Klein and of Side Scan Sonar, whose technology was utilized in the discovery, said, “This find ranks as one of the most important shipwrecks ever found with the help side scan sonar including RMS Titanic, USS Monitor, Hamilton & Scourge, H.L. Hunley, HMS Mary Rose, the African Boy shipwreck and the Lake George Radeau.”

Sonar imaging has lead researchers to believe that the wreckage is relatively well preserved.