Under the sea in the Antarctic lies the wreck of the strongest wooden ship ever built. Inside: ship supplies, an explorer's bicycle, a scientist's collection jars.

This week the hunt begins for Endurance. It won't be easy, says Endurance22 scientist Mensun Bound. The moving ice makes a "lethal environment." Shackleton called it the "worst sea in the world."

In 1915, this ice crushed and sank Endurance. With no hope of rescue, Shackleton sailed 800 miles in a lifeboat to find help. All 28 men survived and their story became legend.

Thanks to the ship's logbook, scientists know where to look for the shipwreck. But why bother? The memory of the famous explorer inspires many.

He led three expeditions, almost reached the South Pole and showed incredible bravery in saving the crew of the Endurance.

Fellow explorer Frank Wild said Shackleton was "the Boss, a great explorer, a great leader". Business schools study his leadership skills.

But some think he wasn't a hero. In 1915, a journalist asked why he was "messing about on icebergs" while thousands died in World War One. Some say he was more interested in money than discovery.

A "deluded fortune hunter", says writer Jonathan Raban. He was a poor planner who risked other people's lives so he could be famous.

There are many stories about Shackleton. He apparently put an ad in the newspaper. It read: "Men wanted for hazardous journey". It promised "small wages, bitter cold and constant danger". There is no evidence this advert ever existed.

However, the shipwreck does exist. The plan is to map the wreck using underwater drones called Sabertooths.

The mission may inspire new explorers. Like Endurance22 scientist Stefanie Arndt. "This is huge," she says. "The first book I read about Antarctica was about Shackleton."

Yes: Exploration is about doing the impossible. And nothing compares to Shackleton's 17-day voyage in a tiny boat across the Antarctic Ocean followed by a 34-hour climb up a glacier to safety.

No: Shackleton fans have short memories. What about Colombus crossing the Atlantic? Or Ferdinand Magellan's circumnavigating the globe? There is stiff competition for the title of greatest explorer ever.

Or... Perhaps we don't need heroes. Shackleton's story is complicated - he had strengths and weaknesses. But every explorer needs a team, so we should spend more time celebrating cooperation and teamwork.