# When and how did Erebus and Terror sink? · Franklin expedition (HMS Erebus and HMS Terror) > Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59JZKJ4RQZ/when-and-how-did-erebus-and-terror-sink Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:28+00:00 --- **0** # When and how did Erebus and Terror sink? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [What did the survivors do after leaving the ships in April 1848?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59JZBR0PFJ/what-did-the-survivors-do-after-leaving-the-ships-in-april)·3 answers·0·0 following **Three answers, none ahead** None 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]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D59JH6M6CJV/discoveries-wrecks-of-hms-erebus-and-hms-terror-national). The state of each ship bears on whether men returned to them. ## Answers 3 [**Both drifted with the ice after desertion and sank where they lie.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/answers/ANS0D59K4ZE5EW1/both-drifted-with-the-ice-after-desertion-and-sank-where) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for Still possible [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/answers/ANS0D59K5YP1TY3/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**One or both ships were reoccupied and moved before sinking.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/answers/ANS0D59K5F20T39/one-or-both-ships-were-reoccupied-and-moved-before-sinking) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for Still possible ## History 1. 1991[Woodman puts forward: one or both ships were reoccupied and moved before sinking.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D59JPJG4QSK/unravelling-the-franklin-mystery-inuit-testimony) 1. 1991[Woodman: inuit accounts place a ship near Utjulik, close to where Erebus was found.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D59JPJG4QSK/unravelling-the-franklin-mystery-inuit-testimony)For: One or both ships were reoccupied and moved before sinking. 1. 2023[Parks Canada puts forward: both drifted with the ice after desertion and sank where they lie.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D59JH6M6CJV/discoveries-wrecks-of-hms-erebus-and-hms-terror-national) 1. 2024[Parks Canada: erebus's coal bunkers are empty.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D59JHY268G2/exploration-2024-wrecks-of-hms-erebus-and-hms-terror)For: Both drifted with the ice after desertion and sank where they lie. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59JZKJ4RQZ/when-and-how-did-erebus-and-terror-sink%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59JZKJ4RQZ/when-and-how-did-erebus-and-terror-sink%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59JZKJ4RQZ/when-and-how-did-erebus-and-terror-sink%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59JZKJ4RQZ/when-and-how-did-erebus-and-terror-sink%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59JZKJ4RQZ/when-and-how-did-erebus-and-terror-sink%23add-source) Where it fits Franklin expedition (HMS Erebus and HMS Terror) [**What did the survivors do after leaving the ships in April 1848?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59JZBR0PFJ/what-did-the-survivors-do-after-leaving-the-ships-in-april)Key question · most likely some men returned to the ships, and one or both were sailed or drifted south with men aboard [How widespread was cannibalism in the last stage of the retreat?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59K0363YTH/how-widespread-was-cannibalism-in-the-last-stage-of-the)Most likely · it occurred among the last survivors at a few sites, such as Erebus Bay **When and how did Erebus and Terror sink?** You're here · 3 answers, inconclusive [Who are the dead on King William Island?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59JZVC26S9/who-are-the-dead-on-king-william-island)Most likely · most can be identified by matching archaeological DNA to descendants traced by genealogy [ Ask a question under this one ]