1. Shipwreck Site Survey in the Lower Florida Keys Preliminary Report Jeff Bauer BSC 4933 December 3rd, 1998

2. §Introduction §Environmental Setting §Historic Background §Methodology §Results §Recommendations for Further Research

3. §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

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

7. §Methodology l The 1 & 1/2 days on-site were well-spent. l Found the LAT/LON from Dave Whall’s report and sent in two teams of snorkelers to find a site. l Discovered a possible site in less than an hour. l After initial site discovery, dive teams established an east-west baseline, separated by three temporary datums (Kilgo portables). l 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.

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

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

12. Flag # 20 - possible strapping from ship’s sail riggings

13. Flag # 18 - unknown concretion

14. Flag # 19 - Eyebolt

15. A cuprous nail in situ

16. Detailed photos of various nails

17. Nail with wood remains

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.