Erebus

Synopsis

HMS Erebus was one of the great exploring ships, a veteran of groundbreaking expeditions to the ends of the Earth.

In 1848, it disappeared in the Arctic, its fate a mystery. In 2014, it was found.

This is its story.

‘Beyond terrific. I didn’t want it to end.’ Bill Bryson

Michael Palin – Monty Python star and television globetrotter – brings the remarkable Erebus back to life, following it from its launch in 1826 to the epic voyages of discovery that led to glory in the Antarctic and to ultimate catastrophe in the Arctic.

The ship was filled with fascinating people: the dashing and popular James Clark Ross, who charted much of the ‘Great Southern Barrier’; the troubled John Franklin, whose chequered career culminated in the Erebus's final, disastrous expedition; and the eager Joseph Dalton Hooker, a brilliant naturalist – when he wasn't shooting the local wildlife dead.

Vividly recounting the experiences of the men who first set foot on Antarctica’s Victoria Land, and those who, just a few years later, froze to death one by one in the Arctic ice, beyond the reach of desperate rescue missions, Erebus is a wonderfully evocative account of a truly extraordinary adventure, brought to life by a master explorer and storyteller.

Summary

Chapter 1: Prelude: 8 March 1979

* Summary: Describes the final hours of Air New Zealand Flight 901's doomed flight from Auckland to Christchurch, New Zealand.
* Real Example: Capt. Jim Collins and First Officer Greg Cassin ignored warnings and flew the plane directly into the path of Mount Erebus, Antarctica.

Chapter 2: Background: New Zealand's Technological Supremacy

* Summary: Provides historical context of New Zealand's aviation industry and its record of safety and innovation.
* Real Example: New Zealand's Civil Aviation Division was regarded as one of the most advanced in the world, with a strong focus on safety protocols.

Chapter 3: The Fatal Flight: Route and Conditions

* Summary: Details the route of Flight 901 and the weather conditions it encountered, including a lack of visibility due to whiteout conditions.
* Real Example: The plane flew too close to the Ross Ice Shelf, obscuring the view of Mount Erebus ahead.

Chapter 4: The Human Factors: Crew and Passengers

* Summary: Examines the profiles of the flight crew, passengers, and their potential influences on the events leading to the crash.
* Real Example: Pilot Capt. Jim Collins had a history of pushing the limits, while First Officer Greg Cassin was a relatively inexperienced co-pilot.

Chapter 5: The Impact: Destruction and Survival

* Summary: Describes the catastrophic impact of the plane into the mountain and the aftermath, including the rescue efforts and initial investigations.
* Real Example: The plane disintegrated on impact, killing all 257 passengers and crew. Only three bodies were identified, while the others were scattered among the wreckage.

Chapter 6: The Investigation: The Court of Inquiry

* Summary: Outlines the New Zealand Court of Inquiry's investigation into the crash, its findings, and the theories it considered.
* Real Example: The Inquiry concluded that the primary cause of the crash was pilot error, specifically Collins's decision to continue flying in dangerous conditions.

Chapter 7: The Aftermath: Controversy and Legacy

* Summary: Discusses the public and political fallout from the crash, including the controversy over the role of technology and the decision to pursue legal action.
* Real Example: The Inquiry's findings faced criticism from some quarters, and families of the victims filed lawsuits against New Zealand authorities and Air New Zealand.