An underwater expedition has recently captured the first images of the ship Quest, which carried the renowned Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton on his final journey, nearly 400 meters below the surface of the Labrador Sea. The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) utilized a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to photograph the sunken vessel, which lies off the coast of Labrador since its sinking in 1962.
The expedition, conducted aboard the research vessel Atlantis, exclusively revealed the initial images depicting the stern of Quest entangled in fishing lines. David Mearns, the co-chief scientist for the expedition with extensive experience in discovering shipwrecks, expressed concern over the damage inflicted by the fishing gear, suggesting that the presence of nets might have exacerbated the wreck’s condition compared to remaining undisturbed on the ocean floor.
The RCGS, in collaboration with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution based in Massachusetts, employed their vessel and submersible to investigate two shipwrecks in the Labrador Sea. John Geiger, the CEO of RCGS and the expedition leader, personally participated in the submersible Alvin’s initial dive to the wreck site, reflecting on the emotional impact of witnessing the emergence of the ship’s bow from the darkness below.
Originally acquired by Shackleton for an expedition to Northern Canada, Quest was repurposed for Antarctic exploration when Canadian support was not secured. Shackleton tragically passed away on the ship in 1922 near South Georgia. Following its use as a minesweeper during World War II and a seal-hunting vessel by a Norwegian company, Quest met its demise in 1962 off Labrador’s southern coast due to ice-induced hull damage, resulting in the loss of its cargo but the safe evacuation of its crew.
Although the ship’s name and registration number are not immediately visible in the imagery, research director Antoine Normandin confirmed the wreck as Quest based on distinctive features like specific portholes matching historical photographs. Despite the disappointment of observing damage caused by trawl fishing, researchers are optimistic about the preservation of significant historical elements within the wreck.
The expedition, which involves creating a digital replica of the wreck using 3D imaging technology, faces challenges due to fishing nets obstructing the starboard side of the vessel. The discovery of the shipwreck in 2024 set the stage for the RCGS mission to unravel the mysteries surrounding the wreck, including changes over time and the insights the site and its surrounding debris field could provide.
Following the exploration of Quest, the expedition plans to investigate another wreck, Terra Nova, located at the southern tip of Greenland. Terra Nova, previously owned by the Bowring Company of St. John’s, was famously used by Robert Falcon Scott during his ill-fated expedition to the South Pole in 1912.