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When and how did Erebus and Terror sink?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of What did the survivors do after leaving the ships in April 1848?·3 answers·0·0 following
Three answers, none aheadNone is ahead yet. See what would settle it.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible.

Why it matters

The positions of the wrecks are known; the circumstances are not⁠[1]. The state of each ship bears on whether men returned to them.

Answers 3

Evidence: 1 for
Still possible
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
Evidence: 1 for
Still possible

History

  1. Woodman puts forward: one or both ships were reoccupied and moved before sinking.
  2. Woodman: inuit accounts place a ship near Utjulik, close to where Erebus was found.For: One or both ships were reoccupied and moved before sinking.
  3. Parks Canada puts forward: both drifted with the ice after desertion and sank where they lie.
  4. Parks Canada: erebus's coal bunkers are empty.For: Both drifted with the ice after desertion and sank where they lie.
  5. Asked on this site
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