Shipwreck Site Survey in the Lower Florida Keys

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Shipwreck Site Survey in the Lower Florida Keys

• Preliminary Report
• Jeff Bauer
• BSC 4933
• December 3rd, 1998

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• Introduction
• Environmental Setting
• Historic Background
• Methodology
• Results
• Recommendations for Further Research

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• Shipwreck survey of scattered remains seen by D.
  Whall in June of 1997 on Maryland Shoals, near
  Key West
• Spent 1 1/2 days on site performing a
  preliminary site survey
• Shipwreck possibly the Maryland, a 19th century
  merchant vessel that sunk in December of 1849
• Alas, no diagnostic artifact discovered that
  would definitively identify it as the Maryland

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• Historic Background
• Tom Hambrights Ship Wreck Index 1828- 1911 lists
  two possible known candidates
• Maryland, lost Dec 1849
• Pequot, lost Jan 1842
• Admirality records from Dec 1849 detail the last
  days of the Maryland.
• Further historic research is required.

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• Methodology
• The 1 1/2 days on-site were well-spent.
• Found the LAT/LON from Dave Whalls report and
  sent in two teams of snorkelers to find a site.
• Discovered a possible site in less than an hour.
• After initial site discovery, dive teams
  established an east-west baseline, separated by
  three temporary datums (Kilgo portables).
• In addition to baseline establishment,
  interesting artifacts were tagged with small,
  numbered flags for later measurement and the site
  divided into quadrants for easy task assigment.

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• Methodology (continued)
• Artifacts were then measured in situ and
  triangulated with at least two of the datums
  along the baseline.
• A number of small artifacts had their locations
  marked, brought to the surface and measured, then
  were returned.
• Before leaving, under threat of storm, all
  datums, flags, etc. were removed.
• A total of 32 dives were performed for a total of
  31.6 hours in 17 feet of 40-50 ft. vis water.

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• Results
• 24 artifacts were flagged and later described
  positioned within the baseline.
• A sitemap covering a 24 meter by 14 meter area
  was created showing the location of 14 of the
  flagged artifacts.
• 10 artifacts (mostly cuprous nails) were measured
  photographed outside of water.
• Approximately 30 minutes of usable site survey
  video was taken.
• Approximately 100 pictures were taken (BW, color
  slides color print).

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Flag 20 - possible strapping from ships sail
riggings
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Flag 18 - unknown concretion
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Flag 19 - Eyebolt
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A cuprous nail in situ
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Detailed photos of various nails
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Nail with wood remains
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Interpretation of Artifacts

• Presence of cuprous nails and concretions
  suggests a 18th - 19th century sailing vessel.
• Possible wood scantling measurement could be made
  based on the one wood-covered nail.
• Straps and fittings suggest sailing rigging.
• Unfortunately, no diagnostic artifacts discovered.

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Recommendations for Further Research

• Many artifacts were not mapped outside of the
  24mX17m baseline grid due to time constraints
  further mapping is recommended.
• Remote sensing equipment may help discover more
  concealed artifacts.
• Removal of a nail and wood artifacts for
  conservation/discovery may prove diagnostic.

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Recommendations for Further Research (continued)

• A more detailed analysis of the collected
  materials (esp. the video) is required.
• Dredging and/or probing into the sand bottom may
  reveal diagnostic artifacts (esp. preserved wood
  for scantling measurements).
• Continued historical research is required.

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