The Role of the Canadian Hydrographic Service and the Canadian Coast Guard in the Discovery of HMS Erebus
Check out this video of HMS Erebus taken with multibeam sonars.
On March 4th 2015, members of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS), along with other partners of the 2014 Victoria Straight Expedition, attended an awards reception hosted by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society at the Royal Ontario Museum. Medals were awarded to 37 CCG employees and 13 CHS employees to recognize their key contributions in the discovery of HMS Erebus.
Canadian Hydrographic Service’s Scott Youngblut, Nunavut archaeologist Dr. Douglas Stenton, and Transport Canada/ Coast Guard helicopter pilot Andrew Stirling jointly holding the iron fitting from the base of a davit belonging to one of the lost Franklin ships. (Photo credit: Fisheries and Oceans Canada)
The discovery of HMS Erebus, one of Sir John Franklin’s two lost ships, is a significant occasion for Fisheries and Oceans Canada as it showcases the important work of the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). Along with public and private partners, the Canadian Hydrographic Service and the Canadian Coast Guard joined the Victoria Strait Project with a number of common objectives such as mapping Canada’s Arctic seabed, conducting arctic research and searching for the lost ships of Sir John Franklin’s 1845 voyage to find the Northwest Passage.
The discovery of one of the lost ships provides us with an important opportunity to recognize the work of both the Canadian Hydrographic Service and the Canadian Coast Guard during the Victoria Strait Project and, more importantly, their work in improving navigation safety as well as contributing to scientific advancements.
On the Role of the Canadian Hydrographic Service
During this year’s project, the Canadian Hydrographic Service conducted hydrographic surveys to collect high resolution bathymetric data using multibeam sonar equipment, a cutting-edge technology that transmits hundreds of beams of sound through the water to capture highly detailed images of the seabed. This technology allows the Canadian Hydrographic Service to see 100% of the seabed and to detect all hazards to navigation. The data collected from the Canadian Hydrographic Service multibeam sonars was used to produce three-dimensional images of HMS Erebus, which were used by marine archeologists to confirm the identification of the wreck. The multibeam data is being used by archeologists and researchers as they conduct further analyses of HMS Erebus.
The relentless march of sonar technology.
From 2,000 soundings per survey using leadline, to 25 times more data using a single beam sonar, to terabytes of data using multibeam sonar. Today, all CHS survey launches use multibeam sonars.
- Read more about the CHS and the 2014 Search for the Lost Franklin Expedition.
- Learn about the Work of Hydrographer-in-Charge, Scott Youngblut (NEW)
On the Role of the Canadian Coast Guard
With current technology, assets and maritime expertise, the Canadian Coast Guard is well placed to support other agencies as they conduct Arctic research and work to enhance maritime safety and security. The Canadian Coast Guard’s role in the Victoria Strait Project was to help mariners safely transit our Arctic waters, direct vessel support to the search, protect our northern communities, and better understand our marine ecosystems. The Canadian Coast Guard has a long history of supporting scientific expeditions, leading to advances in marine safety, environmental research and marine archeology.
CCG vessel Sir Wilfrid Laurier
Share in the experience aboard the CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier by reading the Captain’s Log, where Captain Bill Noon reports on his day-to-day experience during the Victoria Strait Expedition 2014.
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