New technology shedding light on Shackleton's ill-fated ship
New technology is shedding light on an old mystery.
Montreal researchers have uncovered details about the Endurance, which sunk in Antarctica over a century ago.
After more than 100 years submerged in the depths, images have emerged of Sir Ernest Shackelton's ill-fated wreck thanks to new subsea scanning technology, 3D reconstruction and a team of researchers.
The vessel can now be seen as if murky waters were drained away.
"Cameras and laser scanners were put on an underwater vehicle, an autonomous underwater robot, and, once the wreckage was found, one of the first tasks is actually mapping the ship," said McGill University professor James Forbes.
Forbes said ensuring the robots' accurate navigation was key.
"We collect laser point cloud data and we stitch together various laser images, which in turn enhances the navigation solution," said Forbes. "If you have a very accurate navigation solution, then you can build a very accurate, three dimensional model of the wreck."
The Endurance went down in the Weddell Sea during Shackleton's 1914 Antarctic expedition. After getting trapped by ice, it sank more than 3,000 metres.
However, not a single life was lost.
In 2022, the wreckage was discovered, and with today's advances, human touches such as plates and even Shackelton's boot can be seen.
"There was a 3D photogrammetry model created using the images that were taken with the Voyis camera, and what's really exciting about that is then you have this 3D model, so it's more than just a 2D picture," said Forbes.
Forbes said the technology could go beyond shipwrecks and lend itself to any number of submarine inspection tasks, such as underwater bridge and turbine inspections.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Man with loaded gun arrested at checkpoint near Donald Trump's weekend rally in Southern California
A Nevada man with a shotgun, a loaded handgun and ammunition in his vehicle was arrested at a security checkpoint outside Donald Trump's rally Saturday night in the Southern California desert, authorities said Sunday.
Thousands of miles from home, Trudeau learns of dissension in his caucus
The free trade agreement with ASEAN is expected to be signed at the end of 2025. If Trudeau is pressured to step down, or if his government falls and loses the next election, Trudeau will not, as prime minister, be there to see the fruits of his labour.
Here's the dirt on the germiest items in your day-to-day life
Your home – considered to be one of the safest havens from all the external stresses – is filthy.
Trump suggests a protester may get 'the hell knocked out of her' by her parents
Former U.S. president Donald Trump called for a protester at one of his rallies to 'go back home to Mommy' to 'get the hell knocked out of her,' his latest instance of using violent language when confronted by demonstrators.
Court untangles 'bizarre mess' that allowed Vancouver duplex owner to pay off mortgage after foreclosure, sale
A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled on a case she describes as a "bizarre mess" in a decision issued earlier this week.
Man, 37, stabbed and killed on Montreal metro platform
A man died of his injuries after an altercation that escalated on a platform at Guy-Concordia station on Saturday night.
Liberals announce new campaign director amid new push to oust Trudeau
The Liberal Party has named Andrew Bevan as its new national campaign director for the next federal election. The announcement comes as party continues to face lagging polls and as party leader Justin Trudeau is facing new pressure to step aside.
Ottawa bylaw officer struck by driver after altercation in ByWard Market
The woman was taken to hospital and is said to be in stable condition, paramedics say.
Drone strike in Israel wounds more than 60 as Hezbollah claims responsibility
A drone strike hit central Israel on Sunday, wounding more than 60 people, some of them critically, rescue services said, in one of the bloodiest attacks in Israel in a year of war. The Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group claimed responsibility, saying it targeted a military camp.