Canada Just Solved One Of The Greatest Maritime Mysteries In Its History

Canada announced on Sunday the discovery of one of two British explorer ships that went missing in 1846 after becoming trapped in Arctic ice.

In a statement, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper called the event a"truly historic moment for Canada," noting that one of Canada's "greatest mysteries" had been solved.

The ship was found using a remotely-operated underwater vehicle. The first underwater video of the ship is posted to the Parks Canada website.

Franklin's Lost Expedition

The HMS Erebus and HMS Terror left England in 1845, led by British captain Sir John Franklin. The ships were headed for the Northwest Passage, but hit troubles in the Canadian Arctic. Icebound for more than a year, the crew eventually ran out supplies. Franklin and more than 20 of his men died. The hundred or so who did survive abandoned the ships in 1848 and headed for land, but none of the crew made it back home alive.

According to the AFP: "In the 1980s, Canadian researchers said the remains of expedition members found on Beechey Island indicated they had died of cold, hunger and lead poisoning from canned food."

This set off a near two-century-long hunt for Franklin's ships. Since 2008, there have been six major government-led searches to locate the ships, according a statement released by Parks Canada. The Victoria Straight Expedition discovered the first ship with the help of a remotely-operated underwater vehicle.

Researchers are not yet able to determine whether the newly-discovered vessel is the HMS Erebus or HMS Terror, however, Harper said he is confident that finding the first ship will "provide the momentum" necessary to locate its mate.

This is "a really important day in mapping together the history of out country," Harper said in a video announcement. Watch below: