Strange Deep-sea Creatures Found Inhabiting the Endurance Shipwreck

Ernest Shackleton's ship - Endurance - that sank almost 10,000 feet down in freezing waters of Antarctica in 1915 has been discovered.

For some marine scientists, the more interesting part of the event is the deep-sea creatures that have occupied the ship.

Huw Griffiths, a British Antarctic Survey marine biogeographer who was not involved in the discovery journey said: "The ship is cool, but look at those things living on it," according to VOX.

(Photo : BORIS HORVAT/AFP via Getty Images)

The Discovery of Ernest Shackleton's Ship

Almost 10,000 feet down in the Weddell Sea, the ship was discovered by the team based on Worsley's initial coordinates.

This was just a few weeks after they began their mission in early February.

Under the Antarctic Treaty, the wreck will be protected as a historic site and monument, ensuring that it will not be harmed during surveys and filming.

This voyage was part of the trust's larger plan to convey the tale of Shackleton, his ship, and the members of his team to new and younger audiences.

Shackleton died in 1922, making the ship's discovery 100 years later.

To make the first land crossing of Antarctica, Shackleton led the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. After the commencement of World War I, the explorer and his crew set out in late 1914 to explore the world's oceans and seabeds.

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The leader of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom, Admiral Winston Churchill, ordered him to go despite his willingness to postpone the trip and place his ship at the government's disposal in the UK.

According to NBC News, a strong pack of ice prevented the Endurance from reaching land.

There were 28 crew members on board when they got caught in the ice for 10 months and eventually had to leave ship. On the water and on foot, they managed to get away.

Here are some of the creatures living on the ship.

Sea Lilies

From their name, these creatures resemble a plant but they are ancient deep-sea invertebrates, dating back to 480 million years. Griffiths reveals that it is a living fossil.

The First Crab Discovered in the Weddell Sea

Almost all creatures on the ship are just at a place but Griffiths saw at least one crab.

According to Griffiths, this is the first time a crab is seen inhabiting the Weddell Sea. Griffiths wrote an article regarding where the crabs are found in Antarctica.

Large Anemones and Sea Stars

Enormous anemones were also found all over the ship. Some of them could be roughly the size of dinner plates. Deep-sea creatures found in Antarctica can live long and grow very big, Griffiths said.

For instance, the oldest sponge should be around 15,000 years old.

Sea Squirts

It seems sea squirts don't leave much impact for animals that have such fun-sounding names, "It's just a big sack of liquid, basically," Griffiths said.

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