An underwater expedition conducted nearly 400 meters below the Labrador Sea has brought to light the first visuals of Quest, the vessel that transported renowned Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton on his last journey. The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) deployed a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to capture imagery of the ship’s sunken remains off the Labrador coast in 1962.
Exclusive to CBC News, the expedition took place aboard the research vessel Atlantis, revealing initial images displaying the stern of the exploration vessel entangled in fishing gear. David Mearns, co-chief scientist for the expedition and an experienced shipwreck hunter with 29 discoveries under his belt, expressed concern over the potential damage caused by the fishing nets, emphasizing that the wreck’s condition may have worsened due to the entanglement.
Originally located by the RCGS utilizing side-scan sonar two years ago, the shipwreck of Quest has now been visually documented in what is deemed the society’s most extensive expedition to date, costing millions of dollars. Partnering with the Massachusetts-based Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the RCGS employed their ship and submersible to explore two shipwrecks within the Labrador Sea.
John Geiger, CEO of the RCGS and leader of the expedition, personally descended in the submersible Alvin for the initial dive on the wreck. Reflecting on the experience, Geiger described the emotional impact of witnessing the ship emerge from the darkness, evoking thoughts of Shackleton and the historical significance of the vessel.
Quest was originally acquired by Shackleton for exploration in Northern Canada, later diverted to Antarctica after Canadian government support fell through. Shackleton passed away from a heart attack on board near South Georgia in 1922. Following its role as a minesweeper during World War II and subsequent use in seal hunting operations, the vessel sank in 1962 off Labrador’s southern coast due to hull damage from ice, resulting in the loss of its cargo.
Despite the ship’s identification being obscured, research director Antoine Normandin confirmed its identity as Quest based on distinctive features observed during the expedition. Normandin expressed disappointment over the impact of trawl fishing on the wreck but acknowledged the preservation of historically significant sections.
The ongoing mission involves the creation of a digital replica of the wreck through 3D imaging technology, with the wreck located in the protected Hawke Channel since 2002. The expedition aims to address inquiries regarding the wreck’s condition, changes over time, and insights that the site and its surrounding debris field can offer.
After completion of investigations on Quest, the expedition plans to explore a second wreck, Terra Nova, at Greenland’s southern tip. Originally owned by the St. John’s-based Bowring Company, Terra Nova was famously utilized by Robert Falcon Scott during his 1912 South Pole expedition, which tragically ended in disaster.