Researcher rewrites the history of one of the world’s most famous shipwrecks 110 years later
Research challenges narrative of Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctica shipwreck
- New research by Finnish professor Jukka Tuhkuri challenges the long-held understanding of why Sir Ernest Shackleton's ship, HMS Endurance, sank in 1915.
- The analysis reveals that Endurance, previously considered the strongest polar ship of its era, had several structural deficiencies, including weaker deck beams and frames.
- Contrary to the popular belief that the rudder was its main weakness, evidence from Shackleton's diaries and crew communications suggests he was aware of the ship's shortcomings.
- Shackleton had previously recommended diagonal beams for another polar vessel, indicating his knowledge of designing ships for compressive ice, yet he chose a less robust vessel for his expedition.
- These findings rewrite the history of the disaster, offering a fuller picture of Shackleton's decisions without detracting from his remarkable achievement in ensuring his crew's survival.