ENDURANCE22
Finding Shackleton’s lost ice ship
The hunt for Shackleton’s lost ice ship
The Expedition
On 3rd February 2022, a major international scientific expedition set sail from Cape Town in the South African polar research vessel, SA Agulhas II, heading for one of the coldest, harshest and most remote locations in the world: the Antarctic. On board were a team of 60 maritime archaeologists, engineers, scientists and sub-sea technicians. Their mission β to find the Endurance, which hadn’t been seen for more than 100 years. Using underwater robots, helicopters and other state-of-the-art technology, the Endurance22 expedition would become the first to locate and survey Sir Ernest Shackleton’s lost ship, which sank in the Weddell Sea in November 1915.
On 3rd February 2022, a major international scientific expedition set sail from Cape Town to explore the Antarctic β one of the coldest, harshest and most remote locations in the world. Their mission was to find the Endurance, which hadn’t been seen for more than 100 years. Using underwater robots, helicopters and other state-of-the-art technology, the Endurance22 expedition was the first to locate and survey Sir Ernest Shackleton’s lost ship which sank in the Weddell Sea in Antarctica in 1915.
In February and March 2022, a major international scientific expedition explored one of the coldest, harshest and most remote locations in the world, in a quest to find the Endurance. Using underwater robots, helicopters and other state-of-the-art technology, the Endurance22 expedition was the first to locate and survey Sir Ernest Shackleton’s lost ship which sank in the Weddell Sea in Antarctica in 1915.
The Expedition Vessel
The Endurance22 expedition provided an unprecedented opportunity to explore one of the most remote and least studied places on our planet in a quest to uncover the lost secrets of the Endurance. Carrying a team of over 65 members, the mission was conducted from the South African polar research and logistics vessel, S.A. Agulhas II.

The Search Area
The approximate location of Endurance was logged by the ship’s captain, Frank Worsley, using a sextant and a theodolite at the spot where she eventually sank in 1915, after becoming trapped and eventually crushed by the thick sea ice of the Weddell Sea. The Endurance22 expedition team used this information to get as close as possible to the Endurance wreck site.
Latest News
We’re proud to congratulate our Trustee Mensun Bound on receiving the Award of Distinction from the Lotos Club, New York, for his extraordinary work in maritime archaeology and his book, The Ship β¦Beneath the Ice.
A richly deserved honour. Congratulations, Mensun! πππ
π¨ Just in! Saturday’s performance of Endurance at Sydenham featuring Q&A by Mensun Bound is now SOLD OUT!
ποΈ Tickets still available for Friday & Sunday β don’t miss this β¦gripping play inspired by Shackleton’s epic story.
π St. Bartβs Church
https://t.co/KH49YhaOy8
Happy #WorldPenguinDay ! π§
As we explore the Falklands’ maritime past, we share the coastline with five amazing penguin species. Our archaeological work is always done with the environment β β¦and these charismatic neighbours β in mind.
#Falklands #Conservation #penguinday
This #EarthDay , we’re celebrating the science behind #Endurance22.
Using cutting-edge tech in one of the world’s harshest environments, our team mapped sea ice, studied marine ecosystems & β¦discovered Endurance.ππ¬
Find out more https://t.co/amEmgf1o0P
One year ago, the Endurance22 team was awarded the Explorers Club Citation of Merit for the discovery of Shackleton’s Endurance beneath Antarctic ice.
More than 60 people made it happen – β¦explorers, scientists, engineers, ice pilots – a true team effort.
https://t.co/tOqV2j4jDc
π’ A huge thank you to #OceanBusiness2025 for an inspiring launch day!
FMHT Trustee Mensun Bound delivered the keynote, sharing insights from the #Endurance22 expedition.
Great to see our new β¦COO Elena Lewendon connecting with future partners across the sector. ππ
Going to #OceanBusiness? Lucky you π
Opening keynote = Mensun Bound
π₯ World-renowned marine archaeologist
π§ Director of Exploration of #Endurance22
π’ Trustee of FMHT
π 8 April | 10:30β¦ AM
See you in Southampton!
#OceanBusiness2025 #Shackleton #MaritimeHeritage
β 80 years ago today, HMS Afterglow met her fate in the Great Gale of 1945. Today, only her boiler & steam engine remain in Stanley Harbour.
Find out more using our interactive wreck map!
β¦#OnThisDay #falklandsmaritime #shipwrecks
π’ Be the first to know! π’
Our FMHT newsletter is packed with exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights and the latest on our maritime heritage projects. πβ¨
π² Sign up now! → β¦https://t.co/kvfGGK5dg8
We’re proud to congratulate our Trustee Mensun Bound on receiving the Award of Distinction from the Lotos Club, New York, for his extraordinary work in maritime archaeology and his book, The Ship β¦Beneath the Ice.
A richly deserved honour. Congratulations, Mensun! πππ
π¨ Just in! Saturday’s performance of Endurance at Sydenham featuring Q&A by Mensun Bound is now SOLD OUT!
ποΈ Tickets still available for Friday & Sunday β don’t miss this β¦gripping play inspired by Shackleton’s epic story.
π St. Bartβs Church
https://t.co/KH49YhaOy8
Happy #WorldPenguinDay ! π§
As we explore the Falklands’ maritime past, we share the coastline with five amazing penguin species. Our archaeological work is always done with the environment β β¦and these charismatic neighbours β in mind.
#Falklands #Conservation #penguinday
This #EarthDay , we’re celebrating the science behind #Endurance22.
Using cutting-edge tech in one of the world’s harshest environments, our team mapped sea ice, studied marine ecosystems & β¦discovered Endurance.ππ¬
Find out more https://t.co/amEmgf1o0P
One year ago, the Endurance22 team was awarded the Explorers Club Citation of Merit for the discovery of Shackleton’s Endurance beneath Antarctic ice.
More than 60 people made it happen – β¦explorers, scientists, engineers, ice pilots – a true team effort.
https://t.co/tOqV2j4jDc
π’ A huge thank you to #OceanBusiness2025 for an inspiring launch day!
FMHT Trustee Mensun Bound delivered the keynote, sharing insights from the #Endurance22 expedition.
Great to see our new β¦COO Elena Lewendon connecting with future partners across the sector. ππ
Going to #OceanBusiness? Lucky you π
Opening keynote = Mensun Bound
π₯ World-renowned marine archaeologist
π§ Director of Exploration of #Endurance22
π’ Trustee of FMHT
π 8 April | 10:30β¦ AM
See you in Southampton!
#OceanBusiness2025 #Shackleton #MaritimeHeritage
β 80 years ago today, HMS Afterglow met her fate in the Great Gale of 1945. Today, only her boiler & steam engine remain in Stanley Harbour.
Find out more using our interactive wreck map!
β¦#OnThisDay #falklandsmaritime #shipwrecks
π’ Be the first to know! π’
Our FMHT newsletter is packed with exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights and the latest on our maritime heritage projects. πβ¨
π² Sign up now! → β¦https://t.co/kvfGGK5dg8