Parks Canada’s Underwater Archaeology Team has confirmed the identity of the wreck of HMS Terror, discovered off the shores of King William Island in Nunavut.
The discovery of HMS Terror was made possible thanks to a long-term partnership with northern communities, the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, the Government of Nunavut, Parks Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Hydrographic Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and many other government, private and non-profit partners, including the Arctic Research Foundation. This multi-faceted partnership was also at the heart of the discovery of HMS Erebus in 2014.
Furthermore, the discovery of HMS Terror by the crew of the RV Martin Bergmann of the Arctic Research Foundation will contribute to answering the enduring questions around the fascinating story of the lost Franklin Expedition. The essential role played by Inuit in the search for HMS Erebus and HMS Terror underscores the importance of Inuit knowledge that led to these amazing discoveries.
The Government of Canada also announced that Parks Canada will work closely with Inuit in Nunavut and government organizations on the matter of joint-ownership of artifacts from HMS Erebus and HMS Terror.
” Working together to advance joint ownership of these historic artifacts is an opportunity to strengthen our Government’s relationship with Inuit in Nunavut,” the goverment said.”The Government of Canada looks forward to continuing to build on the success of this partnership, particularly with the Government of Nunavut and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, as Parks Canada continues to work towards cooperative management of the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.”
The discovery of the long-lost Franklin ships has generated a lot of positive attention on Canada’s northern legacy and will provide a unique opportunity for economic development, increased tourism and other long-term benefits for Nunavut.
Source: Goverment of Canada