Deep Ocean Expeditions

The "Submersibles to the Breadalbane" expedition is an incredibly unique adventure to the world's northernmost shipwreck. Only a handful of people - all scientists and explorers - have ever seen the Breadalbane, a 500-ton sailing ship that sank in 1853 off Beechey Island in the Canadian Arctic. She now sits in an undersea world of 'suspended animation' - upright and well preserved on the floor, approximately 350 feet below the ice.

Deep Ocean Expeditions is offering adventure travellers a unique chance to descend in a special submersible to explore this incredible wreck and the surrounding marine life. You'll live directly on top of six feet of ice at Ice Station Beechey, and embark on multiple dives aboard our two-person submersible lowered through the ice. It is a unique environment inside the one-atmosphere sub, which boasts a hemispherical acrylic dome offering excellent viewing possibilities. Between dives, our expert biologist, historian and expedition team members will be on hand for lectures, briefings, and excursions to look for polar bears and other wildlife. The expedition will have access to a ski-equipped aircraft, which will be used for local transportation, which may include short sightseeing segments over spectacular neighbouring Devon Island.

The Breadalbane and her sister ship Phoenix had sailed into the Northwest Passage searching for famed arctic explorer, Sir John Franklin. The rescue mission came to an abrupt end when grinding blocks of ice sliced the ship's hull. The Breadalbane sank in just 15 minutes while her fortunate crew scrambled to safety. It wasn't until 130 years later that a Canadian scientific team, led by Dr Joe MacInnis and Phil Nuytten, discovered the Breadalbane. As the wreck is now a national monument, our program is the only way adventure travellers can see her. All activities will be carried out in close liaison with the relevant Canadian Government authorities.

Your diving experience in our state of the art submersible will be like no other. It is akin to driving your car. The pressure sphere remains at one atmosphere throughout the dive and creates the feeling you are in the centre of a hole in the ocean.

We invite you to join Deep Ocean Expeditions on this H.M.S. Breadalbane Under the Arctic Ice expedition. This journey will take you to the top of the world to view some of the treasures that lie at the bottom of the Arctic Ocean.

In order to give individuals the best possible experience each departure is limited to a maximum of ten-twelve expeditioners, we expect these places to fill quickly. So we look forward to welcoming you aboard the submersibles for this unique, historical and exclusive expedition. You will be part of this inaugural series of dives under the Arctic ice.

For further information please contact info@deepoceanexpeditions.com

Mike McDowell
Deep Ocean Expeditions

Sonar Images courtesy of Klein Associates

Breadalbane PDF (371Kb)