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Divers discover guns and coins in wrecks of ships that vanished nearly 2 centuries ago off Canada
In 1845, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror set sail from England on a mission to chart a passage around the top of North America. Led by Captain Sir John Franklin, the voyage ended in tragedy three years later when both ships were lost in the frigid waters off Canada’s coast.
None of the 129 men on board the ships survived. The so-called Franklin Expedition marked the worst disaster in the history of British polar exploration, according to the Royal Museums Greenwich in London.
Nearly two centuries after the ships sank, divers exploring the HMS Erebus wreck have discovered an array of “fascinating artifacts,” including pistols, coins and even an intact thermometer, officials announced this week.
Brett Seymour, Parks Canada
Underwater archaeologists conducted 68 dives over 12 days in September to continue investigating and documenting the wreck of HMS Erebus, Parks Canada said in a news release. The team excavated a seamen’s chest in the forward part of the ship, below deck, where most of the crew lived, finding “numerous artifacts including pistols, military items, footwear, medicinal bottles, and coins.”
In an area believed to be Captain Franklin’s pantry, archaeologists found a leather shoe, storage jars and a sealed medicine bottle. Inside another officer’s cabin, researchers discovered “items related to navigation, science, and leisure” — including a parallel rule, thermometer, leather book cover, and a fishing rod with a brass reel.
Parks Canada released video of the expedition showing divers retrieving artifacts from the shipwreck and scientists examining the items in a lab.
2023 field season at the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror NHS
Uncovering mysteries is all in a day’s work for Parks Canada’s Underwater Archaeology Team! After completing 68 dives during the 2023 field season, the team concluded its research at the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site in Nunavut which is co-managed by Parks Canada and the Nattilik Heritage Society. ⚓ Here are the details you’ve been waiting for!
Over a twelve-day diving period, many fascinating artifacts were recovered from various rooms of #HMSErebus, including cabins believed to be that of Second Lieutenant Henry Dundas Le Vesconte and Third Lieutenant James Fairholme. 😮 Artifacts recovered from the Franklin Expedition are co-owned by Parks Canada and the Inuit Heritage Trust.
Archaeologists also captured thousands of high-resolution digital photos that were used to produce highly accurate three-dimensional models to better understand how the site is changing over time.
We know you want to learn more, so water 💦 you waiting for 👉 https://ow.ly/hEGV50Qtc79
Posted by Parks Canada on Monday, January 22, 2024
The archaeologists also captured thousands of high-resolution photos of HMS Erebus. Parks Canada said the images would be used to produce 3-D models to better assess how the site of the wreck — which is in relatively shallow water and vulnerable to storm waves — is changing over time.
After exploring HMS Erebus, the team returned two days later to the wreck of HMS Terror to conduct remote sensing of the ship.
“This included surveying of the wreck to capture a snapshot of its condition and widening the mapping of a vessel access corridor into this mostly uncharted bay,” the researchers wrote.
Parks Canada
Exactly what doomed the ships, which likely got stuck in ice, remains unknown, and officials have relied thus far on Inuit oral histories to piece together what happened.
“A total of 39 missions were sent to the Arctic but it wasn’t until the 1850s that evidence of what befell the men began to emerge,” according to the Royal Museums Greenwich. “The exact circumstances of their deaths remain a mystery to this day.”
Parks Canada has been working with the Nattilik Heritage Society and Inuit Heritage Trust for seveal years to explore the wrecks.
Officials said the artifacts that were recently retrieved would undergo conservation treatment before being displayed at the Nattilik Heritage Centre in Gjoa Haven, an Inuit hamlet in Nunavut, above the Arctic Circle.
“The Franklin expedition remains one of the most popular mysteries from the 19th century,” Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault said in a statement. “However, thanks to the important work of Parks Canada and Inuit partners, pieces of this mysterious puzzle are being retrieved allowing us to better understand the fascinating events of this incredible expedition.”
Universal History Archive via Getty Images
CBS News
Kamala Harris will speak with “60 Minutes” tomorrow. Here’s what to know for the interview.
Voters will get the chance to hear from Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday as she presents her case for why she should be president in a “60 Minutes” election special.
For decades, “60 Minutes” has featured both Republican and Democratic nominees for presidents, but this year, former President Donald Trump backed out after previously indicating he would be on the show. Correspondent Scott Pelley, who’d been set to interview Trump, will instead travel to Arizona’s Maricopa County, home to more than 60% of Arizona’s voters and a critical battleground in a key swing state.
One thing is certain about the election; with the U.S. deeply involved in both the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, whoever wins on Nov. 5 will become a wartime president.
What Harris will discuss
Israel’s war started one year ago after Hamas launched a surprise terror attack and correspondent Bill Whitaker will discuss the ongoing war with Harris.
Harris will also discuss the economy, immigration, her record as vice president and the differences between herself and Trump.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz will also appear.
Whitaker joined the Democratic ticket on the campaign trail this week to gain insight into their platform’s priorities and values, and what the candidates believe voters should know.
Why Trump pulled out of the “60 Minutes” interview
Leading up to the candidate hour, Trump, through campaign spokespeople, was the first candidate to accept the “60 Minutes” request to be interviewed for the special, according to CBS News. It had been agreed that both candidates would receive equal time during the broadcast.
Trump last sat down with 60 Minutes in 2020. He walked out during the interview with Lesley Stahl. Trump referenced the incident on Tuesday night at a Milwaukee press conference when asked about his decision not to participate in the Oct. 7 “60 Minutes” election special.
“Well, right now, I went to – they came to me and would like me to do an interview, but first I want to get an apology, because the last time I did an interview with them, if you remember, they challenged me on the computer,” Trump said. “They said the ‘laptop from hell’ was from Russia, and I said it wasn’t from Russia. It was from Hunter, and I never got an apology, so I’m sort of waiting. I’d love to do ’60 Minutes.’ I do everything.”
The Republican nominee for president emphasized that he felt he was owed an apology from “60 Minutes.”
“Let’s see if they do it. I wouldn’t mind doing 60,” Trump continued. “I’ve done ’60 Minutes’ a lot.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung said that Trump’s team had not agreed to an interview.
“Fake News,” Cheung said in a post on X. “60 Minutes begged for an interview, even after they were caught lying about Hunter Biden’s laptop back in 2020. There were initial discussions, but nothing was ever scheduled or locked in. They also insisted on doing live fact checking, which is unprecedented.”
Previous Trump, Harris appearances on 60 Minutes
Trump previously sat down with “60 Minutes'” Mike Wallace in 1985, Pelley in 2015 and Lesley Stahl twice in 2016, first in July of that year and then again in November of 2016. He also spoke with Stahl again in 2018 and 2020.
Harris previously sat down with Whitaker last year. She also was interviewed by Norah O’Donnell, “CBS Evening News” anchor and “60 Minutes” contributing correspondent, in 2020.
How to watch the “60 Minutes” election special
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