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THIS SHIPWRECK WAS
JUST THE START

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we hang our laundry out to dry, discover the worst shipwreck ever, plan an iconic road trip, figure out how to protect our data while traveling ... and explore how science is pushing the boundaries of human touch.

a skull

PHOTOGRAPH BY A. FLAVEL, ‘SHIPWRECKS OF THE ROARING 40S’

Was the sinking of the Batavia the worst shipwreck ever?

It sparked a mutiny, hangings, and the first two known Europeans left behind to settle in Australia. The two, like the early English colonists of Roanoke Island in North America, were never seen again. (Pictured above, a skull from a graveyard of Batavia crew members.)

Only now, after decades of archeological work, do we know more about the doomed ship—and its bloody aftermath.

Unlock this article with Nat Geo Premium! Get access now to exclusive stories, plus a century of archives, photos, and videos. See subscription options starting at just $19/yr.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

Titanic

PHOTOGRAPH BY EMORY KRISTOF, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

They were looking for wrecked nuclear submarines during a secret Cold War Navy mission. Instead, they found the Titanic (above)

Simple ways to make your laundry routine more eco-friendly

Are you a stress eater? Here’s how to retrain your brain.

How to protect your data while traveling

Turns out that huge spider invading the U.S. is incredibly ... shy?

Poems kept a U.S. immigration center from demolition

The audacious science pushing the boundaries of human touch

She founded an Afghan girls school. Now she runs it in exile in Rwanda.

6 of Canada's most adventurous road trips Related: 25 essential drives for U.S. road trips

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

an ultrasound of a manta ray

NIV FROMAN, MANTA TRUST, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY

Do you know? Using a waterproof and contactless underwater ultrasound, scientists were able to document the first wild scan of this pregnant female animal. Can you guess what animal it is?

A. Manta ray
B. Dolphin
C. Manatee
D. Human

CLICK TO FIND OUT

OVERHEARD AT NAT GEO

Kris Tompkins in Patagonia

PHOTOGRAPH BY JIMMY CHIN

Saving a land: Doug and Kris Tompkins dreamed of saving huge chunks of South America in a series of national parks. When Doug died, Kris (shown above) expanded the vision—and made the largest private land donation in history. At a Beverly Hills showing last night of the Nat Geo documentary “Wild Life,” Kris and filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin recounted their long effort to document the Tompkins gift—and Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard spoke of how the couple inspired him to give away his $3 billion company to save land from development.

Tune in: “Wild Life” airs on National Geographic at 9 p.m. ET Thursday, and begins streaming on Friday on Disney+ and Hulu. See the trailer.
Related: How an unprecedented gift built a legacy of conservation

THEY MADE IT HAPPEN

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

an archeologist excavation

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT CLARK, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Ink on wood: The first ancient Vindolanda writing tablet was found by accident by an archeologist. Since then, 1,800 more have been discovered, revealing what life was like as a Roman Army soldier. (Above, an excavation at Vindolanda Fort in northern England.)

WHAT DID THEY REVEAL?

PHOTO OF THE DAY

a pregnant woman in Nigeria

PHOTOGRAPH BY YAGAZIE EMEZI

Booming population: Nigeria is expected to add 150 million people by 2050, meaning the country will have the same amount of people as the U.S.—on land one-tenth the size. Above, soon-to-be mothers are tended to by a midwife, who’s delivered “countless” babies on the floor of her bedroom.

Today’s soundtrack: The Ship Song, Amanda Palmer

This newsletter has been curated and edited by Jen Tse, Hannah Farrow, and David Beard. Want to say hello? We'd love to hear from you: [email protected]. Thanks for reading!

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