Move Over Titanic

The sinking of the Titanic and its later discovery was the most important maritime discovery of the 20th century. That discovery will continue to make history and awe thousands, if not millions of people. But the 21st century must find its own place in history, and it amy have done so in the past week with a discovery that is to science what the Titanic was to popular culture.

On Friday, January 9, 2009, the BBC reported the possible discovery of the HMS Beagle. The HMS Beagle was the ship that Charles Darwin sailed on to the Pacific when he formulated his theory on evolution.

The HMS Beagle made only three voyages before being sent the British Coast Guard to aid in their anti-smuggling campaign. After years of service in the Coast Guard, the HMS Beagle was decommissioned and sold off to be stripped and dismantled. According to the BBC article, it is believed that two local farmer purchased the ship and then let it sink in the muddy marshes of River Roach in Essex, England after they salvaged as much as they possibly could. Samples taken from the hull of the ship will eventually confirm whether or not the find is indeed the HMS Beagle, but already their are positive signs. The discovery is apporximately the same size as the HMS Beagle and the first samples have confirmed the presence of organisms, called diatoms, which are only found in the Pacific and Australian seas.

To read the complete article by Jeremy Grange, please visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7819991.stm.