Lost for 107 years

The HMS Endurance, the lost ship of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, was found earlier this month hidden two miles beneath the icy waters of Antarctica. Scientists report that the Endurance looks well preserved and relatively unchanged from the day it sank in 1915 after becoming stuck in the ice 107 years ago. The discovery of the ship happened 100 years to the day since Shackleton was buried.

Survival against the odds

For those familiar with the tale of the Endurance and its crew, the discovery of the ship adds an exciting new chapter to a story of incredible bravery, solidarity, and survival. For ten months the Endurance was stuck in the ice before it was crushed and began to sink, forcing Shackleton and his crew to escape. Miraculously, all of the crew survived.

Preserving history

Many photographs, maps and manuscripts about the voyage have been carefully preserved at the archives of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), which was recently digitized by Wiley Digital Archives. The digitized archives contain the incredible photographs by Frank Hurley, rare materials relating to the mission such as Shackleton’s prospectus for investors,  as well as ‘track and drift’ charting by Captain Frank Worsley.

Discover digital archives

Explore some of the astonishing archival documents relating to the Endurance below, click on the image to see the document on the Wiley Digital Archives platform.

The Royal Geographical Society digital archives includes the extensive Sir Ernest Shackleton Collection and primary sources for other missions navigated by him.

Visit www.wileydigitalarchives.com to learn more and sign up for a free trial to see the archives for yourself.