Summary
A new research paper suggests that the polar exploration ship Endurance was not as strong as once believed. The paper explains that the ship, used by Ernest Shackleton in an Antarctic expedition, had structural weaknesses and didn't sink due to its rudder but rather because it got crushed by ice.
Key Facts
- Endurance was a ship used by explorer Ernest Shackleton in 1915 during an Antarctic expedition.
- The ship became trapped in sea ice and eventually sank.
- Researcher Jukka Tuhkuri argues that Endurance was not as well-built as other ships of its time.
- Tuhkuri claims that the ship was originally designed for Arctic tourism, not for harsh polar exploration.
- Shackleton reportedly was aware of the ship's weaknesses and even wrote about preferring his earlier ship, Nimrod.
- The ship sank after being crushed by ice, not because of losing its rudder.
- All the crew members of the Endurance were rescued, with Shackleton leading them to safety.
