Field work will start on 21 February, and we have added some items to the list. The updated schedule is attached. Dust off and tune up your dive gear, folks — this will be a very busy year.
Autumn 2011 plans
We are contemplating a massive reconnaissance project to run from18 August to 10 November 2011, to investigate a long list of targets (372 at current count) in the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays and off Cape Henlopen. A draft project plan is attached as a .pdf file.
The idea is to start when Roper returns from her summer soujourn at St. Augustine, and to finish in time to pull the U-1105 buoy on 12-13 November for the winter. “We are ready now … as soon as we refuel.”
Anyone interested in participating as a diver, tender, boat-driver or researcher would be very welcome, subject to our rule against disturbing sites or disclosing them to others who might: “no take, no talk.” Some of the diving will be easy, and some challenging. All of it will be low-viz or no-viz. Most targets are in 40 feet or less, but some are as deep as 90 feet.
If you would like to sign up or get more information please use the “contact” link or email david.howe@maritimehistory.org.
new boat
The new-to-us skiff is operational and legal. She will work in shallow waters and decent weather, and can handle four divers with gear — maybe six at most. 26 feet, 20+ knots, 1970 Pacemaker “Alglas” hull, 1996 Chevy 350 engine (straight inboard), center console, extra fuel tanks, all USCG-required gear, VHF, WAAS DGPS, &c.
She needs a name. Suggestions?
new skiff
Kojo Nnamdi Show, Monday 10/25/10
IMH and our Mount Vernon project were featured today on the Kojo Nnamdi Show on WAMU (88.5 FM). For a transcript go to http://thekojonnamdishow.org/ for 10/25/10, and click on Listen under Underwater Archaeology.
Address change
Our new mailing address is
PO Box 108, Tall Timbers MD 20690
BP oil spill
The oil spill in the Gulf will certainly impact historic sites. Roper is at St.Sugustine now for LAMP’s field school. She might go to the Gulf afterwards, if there is some way IMH can help assess sites and protect them from the spill.
Anyone interested in helping in this emergency by field work, funding, research, outreach, or otherwise, please contact IMH through the website or email me directly at david.howe@maritimehistory.org. Thanks!
Dave
Mount Vernon preliminary report (revised)
A revised preliminary report is attached for the Mount Vernon project, 24 April – 1 May 2010. The formal, detailed report will follow in due course.
Back to sunny Florida again
Weeather willing, Roper will sail from Tall Timbers for Florida on Saturday, 22 May, and arrive at St.Augustine around 27 May. She will be on loan to LAMP throughout June for field work and a field school.
I hope to bring her back north in early July to continue SHIP reconnaissance in the Potomac, return to Mount Vernon, and reconnaissance of the Potomac and Anacostia in DC. Other possible work this fall includes another field session at Lewes, reconnaissance of Fort Elsborg along the DE/NJ shoreline, and reconnaissance in Virginia rivers. It all depends on funding.
Mount Vernon findings
We are starting to post-process the sonar data from Mount Vernon and to draft a report to the Maryland Historical Trust, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and Mount Vernon Ladies Association. We have filed two Maryland site reports so far, on sites in the Potomac. More to follow!
The images from LAMP’s Klein 3900 sidescan are superb. Sample attached, showing a centerboard vessel seen in transit between Mount Vernon and Tall Timbers.