An expedition that set out in search of the lost ship of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton has found it — 106 years after the vessel sank off Antarctica.
The wooden ship Endurance has been located remarkably intact about 10,000 feet underwater in the Weddell Sea.
The find is "a milestone in polar history," said Mensun Bound, a maritime archaeologist and the director of exploration on the expedition, called Endurance22.
"This is by far the finest wooden shipwreck I have ever seen. It is upright, well proud of the seabed, intact and in a brilliant state of preservation. You can even see 'Endurance' arced across the stern," Bound said.

As World War I was beginning in 1914, the British explorer Shackleton set out to traverse Antarctica. The plan was for Shackleton to take 27 men on two ships, the Endurance and the Aurora, that would arrive at different locations on the continent to explore two routes by which to sledge across the ice. But in January 1915, the Endurance became trapped in ice off the coast of Antarctica.
The men lived on the ship for months, but pressure from the ice began to slowly crush it. On Oct. 27, 1915, Shackleton gave the order to abandon the Endurance. The men were told to gather no more than 2 pounds each of personal gear from the ship; much of the ship's supplies had already become inaccessible because of broken timbers in the hull. The Endurance finally broke up and sank into the Weddell Sea on Nov. 21, 1915.


The crew made a new camp on an ice floe, and any ambition to cross Antarctica dissipated. The mission was now one of survival, a saga that would stretch into August 1916 before all the men were rescued.
The Aurora also became trapped in ice. Three men from that voyage died before the final members of the crew were rescued in early 1917.

This year's expedition to find the Endurance set sail from Cape Town, South Africa, on Feb. 5.
John Shears, the expedition leader, said the hunt for the Endurance was "probably the most challenging shipwreck search ever undertaken."
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The expedition used sonar to find the sunken ship. It was located about 4 miles south of where Capt. Frank Worsley had noted the ship's location back in 1915.
Then the team used an autonomous underwater vehicle with a camera on it to swim over the hull and the deck and confirm what the team had found.
"It can only be one ship," Shears said. "In this area, few ships have ever even been here. We're only, I think, the fourth ship to ever get into this place in the Weddell Sea. It's Endurance. It can be nothing else."
Shears says he was stunned by the good condition of the vessel: There's hardly anything living on it, and even some of the original paint is intact.
"You can see inside the hatchways, the stairs. You can see the ropes and the rigging. It's as if it sank only yesterday," he said.
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The wreck will stay where it was found, protected as a historical site and monument under the Antarctic Treaty. That means that though the Endurance is being filmed and surveyed, it won't be disturbed.
The expedition crew now returns to Cape Town.


Bound, the expedition's exploration director, said the discovery is not only about the past but also about bringing the story of Shackleton and the Endurance to the next generation.
"We hope our discovery will engage young people and inspire them with the pioneering spirit, courage and fortitude of those who sailed Endurance to Antarctica," Bound said. "We pay tribute to the navigational skills of Capt. Frank Worsley, the captain of the Endurance, whose detailed records were invaluable in our quest to locate the wreck."

Starting in January, a huge boat will attach itself to an enormous kite in a first-of-its-kind test to try and alleviate harmful carbon emissions from toting stuff to and fro across the high seas.
Emissions from shipping are a huge problem. About 80% of all the world’s goods are transported on around 50,000 ships, which use a particularly dirty fuel known as “bunker fuel.” It’s estimated that this cheap fuel is responsible for more than 2% of global carbon emissions, and between 10% to 15% of the world’s sulfur oxide and nitrous oxide emissions, both major public health menaces.
Enter the humble kite. The parafoil kite that will be used is made by a company called Airseas. It measures around 5,380 square feet (500 square meters) and will be attached to a ship 505 feet (154 meters) in length called the Ville de Bordeaux. The ship is a “roll on/roll off” vessel, which refers to the fact that these ships usually carry wheeled cargo. (The shorthand term for this type of ship is, incredibly, a “Ro-Ro.”) This particular boat carries airplane parts between France and the U.S. The ship will test out the sail—er, sorry, kite—technology for six months before being used for its regular route.
Airseas said it “was founded out of the need to act urgently for our planet and climate” and is “committed to provide all ships with the means to harness free and unlimited wind energy.” That sounds an awful lot like a fancy way of saying “sailing,” which, in case you were unaware, is something we used to use a lot back in ye olden days to get our stuff around.

It’s important to note that unlike the cargo sailing ships of old that relied on their big sails, the Airseas kite isn’t meant to be the sole source of power for ships. The Ville de Bordeaux will still use its engine. But the kite, which Airseas calls a Seawing, is meant to reduce fuel use on the journey.
Airseas has promised a super-sized version of the Seawing that measures 3,280 square feet (1,000 square meters) and flies 984 feet (300 meters) above the boat on a figure-8 track, has the potential to reduce emissions on shipping trips by up to 20%. Computer technology helps the kite move around to maximize the carbon-free wind energy being used to propel the ship.
What’s more, the company says the installation process is pretty easy. You basically mount the kite to the ship’s deck, where it can pop out into the air with the touch of a button. The company says the kite kit can be retrofitted to basically any type of ship type.
A 20% cut to emissions might sound small, but the shipping industry has been really struggling to figure out how to clean up its act. Some of the alternative fuels that the industry has developed that are intended to lower emissions have raised new environmental questions. Shipping products for just four companies alone—Amazon, Walmart, Target, and IKEA—accounted for 20 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over the past two years being dumped into the atmosphere. Emissions could rise even more sharply in the coming decades; some analyses predict that cargo volumes could grow by as much as 130% by 2050 as online shopping becomes more and more popular.

This aircraft is half jet ski and half plane. The FlyNano combines marine and aviation technology, creating the lightweight plane that only weighs 70kg. 
A pilot's license is not required to fly the aircraft however, it is not for beginners as some flying experience is recommended before attempting to fly the seaplane. 
FlyNano is powered by an electric motor that can reach speeds of up to 75 mph.
The aircraft is still in development and the price has yet to be confirmed, but it could cost around $40,000.

Just as sure as there is massive horsepower builds on land, folks will be heading into the water to make power as well. This summer, we have definitely seen some pretty crazy creations come to life. They range in everything from a Hemi powered jet boat all the way to a turbocharged jet ski making 1200 hp.This time, though, we check out a collection of boats that really don’t even fall into the same class as the rest. Let’s just say that these vessels are in a world all their own and the resulting power output is definitely a sight to be seen. This is something that really can’t even be described but one just has to spectate in order to be able to witness the full scope of what these machines are capable of.
In this one, we tune in to what the video uploader calls the quickest accelerating boats on the planet. Fitted with 10,000 hp onboard, the top fuel jet boats use a supercharged V8 engine running nitromethane fuel to make their way to some pretty insane speeds. In fact, we’re informed that they’re able to accomplish 0-270 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Imagine the feeling of the blood rushing straight to your face as the pilot of such a crazy combination.
Now, we’re sure that nothing could quite compare to sitting in the cockpit of such a powerful piece of machinery. However, right behind being able to actually see these things in person, a video like this kind of gives us a little bit of perspective. It’s downright wild how quickly these boats are able to accelerate all while staying in the water. In just a matter of seconds, they propel to crazy speeds as they leave behind a massive roost to really leave all spectators on hand in awe.

top fuel boat , 10,000hp boat , top fuel , horsepower , drag racing boat, worlds fastest boats , nathan finneman , breed of speed , nathan james , boats , boat racing , bos , supercharged

It's called the Strand Craft V8 Wet Rod Super Yacht Watercraft and now we’re going to have to talk about it.
Blogging about the Yamaha SuperJet last week must have put me on a new list because I got quite a few notes about how much fun this type of ’ski is to ride (right on) and now I’ve been blessed with one of my favorite press releases in some time from an ultra-lux nautical design outfit called Strand Craft.

The company seems to have made quite a few visually impressive waterborne vehicle concepts, though I’m not quite interested enough to figure out if it’s actually built anything that made it from rendering to reality. About 60 seconds of cursory research clicks suggest it has not, and illustrations of the illustrious Wet Rod have been floating around (boat pun!) since at least 2015.
So maybe you’ve already seen it and are ready to roll your eyes at Strand Craft’s new proclamation that it will be ready to be prototyped “later this year” and finalized before the next Miami Boat Show.

To hell with it, I’m not sacrificing this headline or my hilarious boat pun from a few paragraphs ago just because the Wet Rod might remain a dream forever. It does make me less inclined to share the promised specs or reach out to the company for details, though. You can peek at the official Wet Rod website (it’s safe for work, I promise) (OK there’s one mildly creepy animated bikini woman, FYI, if you’re offended by such things) if you’re curious about the claims though.OK fine, two “specs:” 6.2-liter supercharged V8, $79,000 list price. And it’s “Wet Rod” because “Hot Rod” but water. I guess “Cold Rod,” “Slippery Rod,” nor “Hydrodynamic Rod” were deemed sexy-sounding enough.
And I have to say, and I mean this earnestly or else I wouldn’t have bothered blogging about this even with the funny name, I think it looks pretty cool. Not in a “hell yeah I’m about to save up 80 grand for one” kind of way, but like, it’s original. It’s interesting. And looks fast? Come on, let’s all whip out our Wet Rods and go for a ride!

tags: breed of speed , wetbike , jet ski , wet rod , nathan james finneman , watercraft news , jet ski news , hellcat , luxury life , luxury yacht

Lamborghini released a gorgeous boat design in a collaboration with Tecnomar Yachts. The design has true Lamborghini styling, but that’s just the beginning of its appeal; In the engine room, you’ll find two V12 engines that make a combined 4000HP. Its aesthetic is sharp and futuristic and seeks to match its land-based counterpart, the hybrid Sián FKP 37.
This yacht is projected to cost over $3 million and will be produced in limited amounts. Its full title, “Tecnomar For Lamborghini 63” pays tribute to the automaker’s founding in 1963. The yachts are set to be available for the consumer in 2021. “If I had to imagine a Lamborghini on water, this would be my vision”, said CEO Stefano Domenicali. Considering its origins, its sure to integrate luxury and style in a performance package.

The influence of the Sián can be seen in its striking angular accents as well as the streamlined, aerodynamic body. The front has a design that is certainly reminiscent of a Lamborghini hood scoop. Elements such as the Y-shaped lights pay tribute to the Terzo Millenio concept and emphasize the cutting-edge ambitions of the manufacturer.
The Italian Sea Group collaborated with the automaker to produce the yacht, which is set for a 2021 release. “I’m delighted to celebrate this successful collaboration”, remarked CEO Stefano Domenicali. Naval engineers worked to optimize the fluid dynamics of the watercraft while designers created modern renditions of iconic styling from older automotive models.

Beneath the Tecnomar’s roadster-styled hard top is a high-tech control console with an automotive aesthetic. Everything from the classic race-inspired steering wheel to the hexagonal accents are designed with the Lamborghini in mind. If the visual similarities weren’t enough, they even added the same push-to-start button as their supercars.
Owners will be immersed in luxury and have the ability to completely customize the yacht’s materials and colors through the Ad Personam program. Three luxury interior styles will be offered, including the Lounge and single or dual-cabin options.

The lounge version is more of an open layout that includes a kitchen, private bathroom and closet space. Owners that spend a bit more time on the boat may be interested in the cabin models, which can accommodate a king sized bed and two separate rooms in the larger version. With the price tag starting at $3.4 million, the interiors will surely sport high quality materials and luxurious elegance.

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If this doesn't make you want to take it slow on the water, I don't know what will.These guys are lucky to still be alive after attempting to break the world record for top speed on a bass boat. Their video claims they already broke the record once, but they wanted to see if they could do even better, so let this souped-up boat rip across some wide-open water.
Unfortunately, they only made it to ho-hum 102 mph before their vessel caught the speed wobbles as bad as a novice skateboarder going down a steep hill.


If you've ever been on a bass boat, you know how fast even 40 mph feels. So try to imagine moving at this kind of speed on flat, open-top boat. Can you imagine what that wind must've felt like?
Anyone who's spilled while water skiing at 20 mph knows that surface feels like pavement when you fall in. How do you think these guys felt as they climbed back into that boat?
It's honestly a miracle these guys walked away unscathed, although their boat might not have had the same luck; it's hard to tell.

Wreckage of the World War II aircraft carrier USS Hornet was discovered in late January 2019 by the expedition crew of Paul G. Allen's Research Vessel (R/V) Petrel. Hornet was found 5,400 meters (nearly 17,500 feet) below the surface, resting on the floor of the South Pacific Ocean around the Solomon Islands. Hornet was best known for its part in the fateful Doolittle Raid that was launched in April of 1942, which was the first air-borne attack of Japanese homeland targets including Tokyo. Led by U.S. Army Lt. Col. James Doolittle, all the 16 B-25 planes that were launched from Hornet were unable to land at their designated airstrip in China, but the raid provided a boost to American morale and put Japan on alert about our covert air capabilities.
In June, Hornet was one of three American carriers that surprised and sunk four Japanese carriers at Midway, turning the tide of war in the Pacific.
The ship was sunk during the exceptionally vicious Battle of Santa Cruz Island that started on October 25, 1943. Hornetproved an especially determined ship over the next 24 hours. Enduring a relentless, coordinated attack by Japanese dive-bombers and torpedo planes, her crew was ultimately forced to abandon ship due to damage and resulting fires. She then defied American efforts to scuttle her with 16 torpedoes and 369 rounds of 5" shells. When Japanese forces approached shortly thereafter and fired four torpedoes from two Japanese destroyers late in the evening on October 26, Hornet finally succumbed and slipped beneath the surface. She lost 111 sailors from her crew of nearly 2,200.
"With the loss of Hornet and serious damage to Enterprise, the Battle of Santa Cruz was a Japanese victory, but at an extremely high cost," said Rear Admiral (Ret.) Samuel Cox, director of Naval History and Heritage Command. "About half the Japanese aircraft engaged were shot down by greatly improved U.S. Navy anti-aircraft defenses. As a result, the Japanese carriers did not engage again in battle for almost another two years."

The discovery of Hornet was made during R/V Petrel's first mission of 2019 after relocating from the Philippine Sea to the Solomon Islands to spend winter months in this arena. Operating out of Guadalcanal, the area is rich in history and prominence in terms of naval engagements.
"We had Hornet on our list of WWII warships that we wanted to locate because of its place in history as an aircraft carrier that saw many pivotal moments in naval battles," said Robert Kraft, director of subsea operations for Vulcan. "Paul Allenwas particularly interested in historically significant and capital ships, so this mission and discovery honor his legacy."
The 10-person expedition team on the 250-foot R/V Petrel was able to locate Hornet's position by piecing together data from national and naval archives that included official deck logs and action reports from other ships engaged in the battle. Positions and sightings from nine other U.S. warships in the area were plotted on a chart to generate the starting point for the search grid. In the case of Hornet, she was discovered on the first dive mission of Petrel's autonomous underwater vehicle and confirmed by video footage from the remotely operated vehicle, both pieces of equipment rated to dive down to 6,000 meters.

A Vietnamese fisherman caught a bit more than he bargained for earlier this week, when he hooked what appears to be a Chinese torpedo about four miles off the Vietnamese coast. Although the fisherman, Tran Minh Thanh, snagged the torpedo only about four miles from shore, it remains likely that if it is indeed a Chinese torpedo, it was still likely fired in international waters, which begin 12 nautical miles off shore. Because China has laid claim over the vast majority of the South China Sea, it’s likely that the torpedo was launched during training exercises — particularly because it appears to be armed with a dummy warhead.
​To be fair, it also doesn’t look too dissimilar to America’s Mark 48 torpedo that remains in service — this is in large part because it’s believed China stole elements of that torpedo design during their development of the Yu-6.

The orange band near the nose of the torpedo indicates that it isn’t armed with a live warhead, though the wire extending from the tail, just past the propellers, suggests that is indeed a functional torpedo. It’s size, at approximately 22 feet long and a telling 21 or so inches in diameter, indicates further that it’s a submarine launched weapon. Torpedoes launched from surface ships and aircraft traditionally have a smaller diameter.
One defense journalist took to Twitter to offer a translation for the visible characters on the torpedo, which say “connect” and “disconnect,” in characters indicative of the People’s Liberation Army-Navy.


Based on the evidence available, it seems likely that the torpedo was launched from a PLA-N submarine elsewhere in the South China Sea, and likely within the confines of what other nations would consider international waters (despite China’s refusal to acknowledge that any water in the South China Sea falls under the international classification). The dummy torpedo then drifted at sea until it was stumbled upon by Tran Minh Thanh and dragged back to shore.
You can see more of the torpedo in the local news report below:

If you don't have 10 mins here are the high points. 0:32 Milky Way 0:53 Jupiter 1:17 Approaching Port of Colombo 1:45 Cargo Operation 2:08 Departure Colombo with Rainstorm 2:29 Beautiful Sunrise

tags: breed of speed , cargo ship 30 days , nathan finneman , sirdrifto , cargo ship travel , amazing