Study: Endurance Design Doomed Ship, Shackleton Knew

A new study by Jukka Tuhkuri of Aalto University, published in Polar Record and prompted by the 2022 Endurance22 discovery, concludes that the Endurance was structurally ill-equipped to withstand compressive pack ice. Tuhkuri's analysis of archival images, wreck surveys and Shackleton’s diaries finds weaker deck beams and frames, an unusually long and vulnerable engine/machine compartment, and a hull form unlike other polar ships. The paper concludes cumulative compressive ice forces crushed the vessel in late 1915 — rather than a single catastrophic gash or rudder failure — and indicates Shackleton likely knew of these design shortcomings before sailing. The findings challenge the long-held view of Endurance as the strongest wooden polar ship and prompt renewed scrutiny of the expedition's choice of vessel and Shackleton’s decision-making, even though the crew survived the wreck and rescue.