'Historic' breakthrough: Lost ship from Sir John Franklin's Arctic expedition found

A Canadian search team has unlocked one of the world’s great exploration mysteries with the discovery of one of two lost ships from Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition. The two ships of the Franklin Expedition and their crews disappeared during an 1845 quest for the Northwest Passage. They were the subject of many searches throughout the 19th century, but the mystery of exactly what happened to Franklin and his men has never been solved. It is not known yet whether the ship is HMS Erebus or HMS Terror, but the ship appears to be well-preserved. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who recently came close to the search area on his annual northern trip, could barely contain his delight Tuesday as he delivered news of the “great, historic” breakthrough.

For more than a century, this has been a great Canadian story and mystery. I’d say it’s been the subject of scientists and historians and writers and singers. So I think we have a really important day in mapping together the history of our country.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper

The search team confirmed the discovery on Sunday using a remotely operated underwater vehicle recently acquired by Parks Canada, locating the wreck 11 metres below the water’s surface. Since 2008, Parks Canada has led six major searches for the lost Franklin ships. On his annual tour of the North last month, the prime minister got a first-hand look at some of the tools being used in the hunt for the ships. The Conservatives have made Arctic sovereignty a key theme since coming to power in 2006. Harper recently told journalists aboard HMCS Kingston the Franklin search was part and parcel of asserting Canada’s control over its North.

It ultimately isn’t just about the story of discovery and mystery and all these things. It also really is laying the basis for what’s, in the longer term, Canadian sovereignty.

Stephen Harper