HMS Challenger expedition

The voyage of HMS Challenger, from 1872 to 1876, set out to unravel the mysteries of the deep sea. For the Victorians, it was a journey into the unknown, just as the Apollo mission to the Moon was a new landmark for humans in the 20th century. It also began the new science of oceanography.

For the first time, scientists could prove that life existed on the deep sea bed. They collected specimens from different depths of water all over the world. Many of these specimens are now in the Museum’s collections and are still studied by scientists from around the world today.

The history of ocean exploration

Throughout most of the history of navigation by sea, people believed that the deep ocean was cold and lifeless. Why did this begin to change?
Preparing for the voyage

The HMS Challenger expedition was a huge and very expensive project. How would its architects find the money and what preparations did they need to make before setting sail?
Studying the deep ocean

HMS Challenger collected samples from 362 places. Learn about the techniques the crew used to find new living species and take measurements.
Life on board

Find out about life on board HMS Challenger and learn about the incredible collection of photographs brought back from the voyage, including the first ever picture of an Antarctic iceberg.
Findings

Analysing 563 cases of specimens from the voyage was a huge job. What did scientists learn from these specimens and where are they kept today?
HMS Challenger Report

Examine drawings of some of the specimens collected by the crew of HMS Challenger as you browse the original report from the expedition.