| The study of shipwrecks as historic and archaeological sites, as
well as indicators of past and present ocean state. Archaeological
Oceanography is by definition and interdisciplinary pursuit, involving
archaeologists, marine geologists, sedimentary bio/geochemists, engineers,
and a diverse host of other marine professionals. |
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Degree
Program
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Faculty
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Course Offerings
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Students
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The
'Mica' Wreck
Recently, the Department of Oceanography embarked upon its inaugural
deep-water archaeological investigation in cooperation with the
Nautical Archaeology Program, the Minerals
Management Service, NAVOCEANO and the US Navy Nuclear Research
Submarine, NR1. The 'Mica' wreck, so named as it lies
in the 'Mica' oilfield, is an early 19th century sailing vessel
most likely on its way into or out of the port of New Orleans
when it came to grief. The project was generously sponsored by
ExxonMobil, Inc.
Research is ongoing, the results of which will
be the topic of a Master's Thesis in the Nautical Archaeology
Program. Feel free to contact DTRG or Toby
Jones for more information.
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Depth:
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~2600ft.
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Length:
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~70
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Beam:
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6 - 8ft.
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Date:
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1775 - 1830
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% of ship remaining:
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~%20
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Ionian
Sea Shipwreck
Discovered while conducting a geophysical
survey aboard the NR1 (July 2001) in the northern Ionian Sea
in cooperation with the University of Patras (Greece) & the University
of Ferrara (Italy), this shipwreck lies at the midpoint between Italy
and Greece. Based on the morphology of the anchor the wreck is believed
to date no later than the fourth century AD. |
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The shipwreck is buried in soft sediment and only the edge of the
hull is visible on the sea floor. The low-frequency sonar image to
the left (150kHz) clearly shows that a considerable portion of the
ship is present in the sub-bottom and most likely is well preserved.
The most recognizable feature on the site is the iron anchor resting
on the hull. |
| Depth: |
~2400ft. |
| Length: |
~80 |
| Beam: |
Unknown |
| Date: |
<4th CE |
| % of ship remaining: |
Unknown |
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To see a brief video clip of the site taken from the NR1, click
Here.
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| Located during a geohazard survey, the wreck believed to be the
'Western Empire' built in 1862 in Quebec and homeported in
London, was first investigated by DTRG with the generous support of
Deep Marine Technology
(Houston, TX). Lost 18 September 1876 en route from Liverpool
to New Orleans, the 'Western Empire' was carrying a load
of lumber (explaining the lack of cargo at present at the wreck site)
when she sprang a leak and foundered. Ten men drowned in the sinking.
The ship is remarkably well preserved and heavily colonized with all
manner of organism, including: anemone, coral, amphipods, mollusks,
crustacean, eels, and numerous species of fish. Data is still being
analyzed and collected, and this site will be updated as more information
is available. Contact Jack Irion or David Ball at the Minerals
Management Service in New Orleans with questions or comments.
Additional thanks to ProMare
for research at the Mystic Seaport Museum. |
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| Depth: |
~1,400ft |
| Length: |
~190 |
| Beam: |
~38 |
| Date: |
1862 |
| % of ship remaining: |
~60% |
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Photographs: upper right & left - DeepWorker 2000
Submersible investigating the starboard hull of the 'Western Empire.'
The lower photo is the 'stem' or major bow timber of the shipwreck
backlit by the DeepWorker 2000. |
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