HMS CHALLENGER

Oceanography now and then

HMS Challenger left Portsmouth on its groundbreaking expedition on December 21, 1872, and returned to Spithead, Hampshire, on May 24, 1876. The voyage lasted 1,000 days and covered more than 68,000 nautical miles. It is generally considered the first oceanographic expedition. The ship’s crew gathered data on temperature, currents, and water chemistry at 362 stations and discovered 4,717 new species of ocean life. It also sounded the ocean bottom to a depth of 8,184 meters (26,850ft), which is why the deepest point in the ocean is called the Challenger Deep.

To commemorate the achievements of the Challenger expedition, on May 20, 2022, the Mayflower Autonomous Ship was sailed to two of the Challenger science stations, numbers 73 and 74, in the vicinity of the Azores, before it continued its voyage to America. In 2026 we will visit several additional stations, and will make video and sampling to compare with the results from the Challenger expedition 150 years earlier.

This upcoming project is not just about data collection. It is a testament to the remarkable progress in oceanographic research since 1876. By showcasing the state-of-the-art technology and methods, the mission will enlighten us about the vast strides we have made in understanding our oceans.