After spending 80 years at the bottom of the Labrador Sea, Terra Nova appears drastically changed since it transported renowned British explorer Robert Falcon Scott to the South Pole. Describing the ship as a wreck in poor condition but intriguing due to its state, David Mearns, the co-chief scientist of the Canadian-led expedition, emphasized that this mission marks the first scientific endeavor to capture detailed imagery of the vessel.
The expedition recently explored the wreck of Quest, the ship that carried another celebrated explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, on his final expedition to Antarctica. Utilizing remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and an underwater submersible, the team is dedicated to examining these historic shipwrecks with modern technology.
During the recent expedition, the research vessel Atlantis deployed an ROV to map Terra Nova, originally launched in 1884 and later used by Scott. Despite being submerged under 170 meters of water and situated about 30 kilometers south of Greenland since its sinking in 1943, key features like the ship’s double wheels used for navigation are distinctly visible. Components such as the rudder, boilers, and steam winches remain observable on the vessel.
Incorporating advanced technology developed by Voyis in Waterloo, Ontario, the team not only captures images and videos but also creates a comprehensive three-dimensional map of the entire ship. Marine biologist Kirstin Meyer-Kaiser highlighted the benefits of the 3D model, emphasizing its ability to provide researchers with precise contextual information for their studies.
Dwight Coleman, the co-chief scientist and director of ocean imaging at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, noted significant advancements in technology over recent years. The expedition’s focus on meticulously studying northern shipwrecks is filling vital knowledge gaps.
Meyer-Kaiser also expressed interest in studying the marine life that has colonized Terra Nova, noting that the wreck serves as a habitat for various fish species, offering a stark contrast to the barren sea floor. She aims to understand the ecological impacts of human-made structures like shipwrecks in marine environments.
For John Geiger, president of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, leading the expedition to explore Terra Nova and Quest represents a significant historical moment. Geiger emphasized the importance of documenting these iconic vessels, which were once at the forefront of exploration, using cutting-edge ocean technology more than a century after their original expeditions.
