Perfectly Preserved Shipwreck Reveals The Unsettling Fate Of Its Crew
The final voyage of HMS Terror has long puzzled scholars. The battleship's checkered history and mysterious demise have served as a subject of controversy for nearly 200 years. Now, however, new evidence has emerged to finally shed light on what really happened the Terror and all the souls on board — and the truth is grislier than what anyone ever imagined.
The Terror
Constructed in 1813, the Terror was a British naval ship that specialized in destruction. Armed with two heavy mortars and ten cannons, the bombing vessel was jam-packed with all kinds of firepower that truly gave meaning to its name.
War of 1812
The Terror played a key role in the War of 1812, taking part in the bombardment of Stonington, Connecticut, in 1814. A year later, the ship provided support during the Battle of Fort Peter as well as the attack on St. Marys, Georgia.
Sailing the Mediterranean
After the war, the Terror was decommissioned until 1828 when it was called to serve in the Mediterranean. The vessel suffered damage near Lisbon, Portugal, shortly after beginning its patrol and was removed from service thereafter.
Polar exploration
But the Terror found new life in the mid-1830s when it was recommissioned as a polar exploration vessel. With its sturdy frame and powerful engine, the Terror seemed capable of traversing even the most treacherous of arctic terrains.
