HMS Erebus Underwater Archaeological Surveys 2015 and 2016

This report presents the results of fieldwork and research undertaken by Parks Canada’s Underwater Archaeology Team and its partners between 2015 and 2016 on the wreck of HMS Erebus. Three episodes of fieldwork in 2015-2016 built upon an initial episode immediately following the wreck’s discovery in September 2014. The main objective of this archaeological work on HMS Erebus was to complete a site assessment that encompassed the wreck’s hull, visible artefacts and debris field. This assessment was completed chiefly to better plan and initiate long-term, full scale archaeological study of the site, including excavation. This site assessment confirmed not only the remarkable archaeological potential of the site but also environmental threats to its integrity. The study of this shipwreck site provides a unique opportunity to learn more about cutting-edge mid-nineteenth century technologies deployed on Sir John Franklin’s 1845 expedition, its impact on regional Inuit cultures and trading networks, and the lives of the crewmen who served aboard the ship. The continued study and excavation of HMS Erebus, alongside work at the wreck of HMS Terror, will shed new light on the 1845 Franklin expedition.

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Additional Info

Field Value
Source
Version None
Author None
Author Email None
Maintainer None
Maintainer Email None
Data Level
Agreement Required
Purpose Constraints
Redistribution Allowed
AI Training Allowed
Data Steward
Title (French) Fouilles archéologiques subaquatiques du HMS Erebus 2015 et 2016
Update Frequency as_needed
Geographic Scope ["0", "62"]
Criticality Level ["aboriginal_peoples", "general_public", "government", "scientists", "students"]
Sensitivity Level unrestricted
Language
Contact Person
Contact Email charles.dagneau@pc.gc.ca
Data Dictionary
Open Canada Date Published 2025-03-20 00:00:00
Open Canada Date Modified
Open Canada Subject ["history_and_archaeology"]
Open Canada Keywords {"en": ["Underwater Archaeology", "Franklin Expedition", "HMS Erebus"], "fr": ["Archéologie subaquatique", "Expédition Fraklin", "HMS Erebus"]}
Open Canada Collection publication
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