I didn't get to see Polar Bears last July but Churchill and the islands in the entrance to the Northwest Passage should provide a better opportunity this year. Fingers crossed!
In my New Zealand Blog I referred to a book by Michael Palin entitled "Erebus-The Story of a Ship" that I had by chance come upon a few days before setting off for my New Zealand tour. Little did I realise that this book would be relevant not only to the New Zealand tour but also to this Expedition Cruise.
If you recall the Erebus was a ship that had made a voyage to the Southern Hemisphere including New Zealand to set up Magnetic Field Checkpoints where explorers such as Shackleton and Scott could reset their compasses for the earth's magnetic error before venturing further south to the Antarctic. You may also recall the photo I posted taken in Christchurch Botanical Gardens when the Guide had just pointed out a small green building that houses one of these magnetic field checkpoints. The photo contained just the merest slither of green building but many of you have told me that you were able to spot it! I've included it here again for any newcomers to the Blog.
The Erebus had a second life since after languishing for several years she was recommissioned to undertake a voyage to establish magnetic field checkpoints around Greenland and Newfoundland, but her ultimate mission was to attempt to discover the Northwest Passage and guess where I'm headed next week!!
I have deliberately left this portion of the book unread to enjoy over the next couple of weeks. What I do know is that the Erebus vanished with her 129 strong crew in the wastes of the Canadian Arctic. Her fate remained a mystery for over 160 years. Then, in 2014 she was found. I hope we will be passing close to her last resting place, but I will tell you the story as I read and as we sail in the Canadian Arctic waters.
Interestingly the wreck of Shackleton's last ship the Quest has just been found off the coast of Newfoundland and it is thought to be well preserved. You may know that Shackleton's famous ship the Endurance was found in 3000 metres of water almost perfectly preserved some 5 years ago in the Weddell Sea Antarctica.
The photo shows the cover of the book. I tried looking for some pictures of the Erebus but they are all copyrighted!
It's packing day this afternoon and tomorrow. My next posting should be from Reykjavík. Enjoy!
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