Discovery of wrecks from lost whaling fleet off Alaska could lead to more ships

In 1871, ice trapped a fleet and sent 33 ships to the bottom of the Chukchi Sea but this week's discoveries suggest climate change could uncover more as ice continues to melt

Archaeologists have discovered the wrecks of two American whalers off the Arctic coast of Alaska, almost 145 years after ice trapped a whaling fleet and sent 33 ships to the bottom.

Researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) announced the discovery this week. Brad Barr, a Noaa archaeologist and the project's co-director, said his team had found two hulls, two anchors and many other artifacts.