As part of our on-going series of lectures hosted by Norwich School we were honoured once again to welcome on site our friends at the Royal Geographical Society (Eastern region) on 7th May 2024.
A completely packed Blake Studio heard a spell-binding lecture of intrepid exploration from the eminent Dr John Shears who had been the team lead on the expedition Endurance22 which made the remarkable discovery of the wreck of Shackleton’ s HMS Endurance in March 2022 lying about 7km from where it had sunk in 1915. The wreck lies over 3,000m under the extremely remote and ice-locked Weddell Sea in northern Antarctica. Its depth, lack of sediment (on account of the 5m ice covering in that area for much of the year) and lack of oceanic currents has meant the wreck has fortunately remained astonishingly well preserved, with such items as boots, plates on deck, paintwork, lino etc all visible from the remote operating vehicle that took 25,000 images and video footage on two memorable dives to the site in 2022. Attendees were told that the wreck’s discovery followed 30 meticulously planned dives as well as an abortive mission in 2019, which had prompted the BBC’s Jonathon Amos to have dubbed it: “The impossible search for the greatest shipwreck”.
Excitingly, Dr Shears shared with the audience exclusive video footage of amazing clarity and detail, courtesy of the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, that is currently being worked up into a landmark documentary film for National Geographic for distribution this autumn. It is most gratifying that whilst this sensitive site is carefully documented and preserved, future generations will soon be able to enjoy the fruits of such challenging feats of adventure and discovery. We were indeed fortunate to have had such compelling first-hand insight into this by Dr Shears, and his scintillating talk was enjoyed by an enthralled audience of pupils of all ages from many schools, staff, academics, RGS members, ONs and friends of the school.
Upcoming RGS talk next week: 16th May 2024 at 19:30 (doors open at 19:00). Geopolitics, conflict and the United Nations in conversation with the eminent British diplomat Sir John Sawers. After many overseas postings, Sir John was British Ambassador at the UN in New York, before going on to head the UK Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. Over two decades he has been a trusted advisor to prime ministers and foreign secretaries on international security and foreign affairs. Past President of the Royal Geographical Society and acclaimed cartographer Nicholas Crane will be in conversation with Sir John about his life and his personal on geopolitical conflict in the context of pressing issues such as climate change, great power rivalry and a constrained United Nations. We are indeed fortunate to have such luminaries on site and this promises to be an enlightening and insightful. ALL ARE WELCOME. This talk requires booking in advance to secure your seat.
