Video: Franklin’s long lost HMS Terror discovered

HMS Terror, the long-lost ship of British polar explorer, Sir John Franklin, has been found at the bottom of an Arctic bay. The discovery was made by the Arctic Research Foundation.

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HMS Terror was one of two ships used by the British Royal Navy officer and Arctic explorer, Sir John Franklin, for his attempt to navigate the Northwest Passage.

The vessel is now believed to have been discovered by the Arctic Research Foundation in 24 metres of water at Terror Bay on King William Island.

The island is in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut, which is part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

HMS Terror, along with the expedition flagship HMS Erebus, were both abandoned by the 129-strong crew when both ships became trapped in heavy sea ice.

HMS Terror

The HMS Terror on July, 14 1837. Engraving by George Back.

Despite efforts to reach safety by trekking overland, every member of the crew died.

It was the worst disaster to hit Britain’s Royal Navy in its history of polar exploration.

Members of the Arctic Research Foundation found HMS Terror on 3 September 2016, but waited a week before going public while they tried to identify the wreck.

They’ve made comparisons using the ship’s original building plans.

Sir John Franklin

Sir John Franklin

The wreck has still not been confirmed as the HMS Terror.

But, researchers say the shipwreck matches key elements of the plans, despite being found 60 miles away from where HMS Terror is believed to have sunk.

The vessel is in a good condition. Researchers say they’ve explored the inside of the wreck with a remotely operated vehicle.

They’ve found wine bottles, a desk with open drawers and plates.

The wreck of the expedition flagship, HMS Erebus, was found in September 2014 in the eastern Queen Laud Gulf, close to King William Island.

It was discovered in 11 metres of water. A bell and canon from HMS Erebus have been recovered.

Following the disappearance of Sir John Franklin and his crew, there have been dozens of attempts to search for the two ships.

Many of these expeditions during the 1800s ended in tragedy.