Maritime Heritage Chapter of the ASV

12/14/2024

This story is an oft-repeated one. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer, but I've visited the Victory several times and each time I'm impressed with her appearance and the "vibe" she gives off. It's easy to let you mind travel back to 1805 and imagine Lord Nelson standing on the quarterdeck. I think historic ships are worth saving.

The BBC recently reported that HMS Victory, one of the most celebrated warships in British history, is being repaired using wood from France. The conservation work is part of a 10-year project titled The Big Repair, which will cost £40-£45m. … Continue reading →

06/17/2024

This shipwreck project seems to be more about politics than cultural resources. I hope archaeologists are in charge.

Archaeologists used a crewed submersible called "Deep Sea Warrior" to retrieve the coins, pottery and other ancient artifacts.

06/08/2024

I'm a day late in posting this story, but it's worth reading. Back in the 1970s, when I became Virginia's first State Underwater Archaeologist, I tried to get one of these LCVPs from the federal surplus yard in Norfolk/Virginia Beach. They had quite a few sitting in a lot, but I could never get one transferred to the state.
If you're not familiar with Higgins and his boat, I think you'll be amazed at how significant the little boat was on D-Day.

I am aware of only one man who was praised by both Eisenhower and Hi**er. A repost on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. General Dwight David Eisenhower said “Andrew Higgins … is the man who won the war for us. … Continue reading →

03/15/2024

Last Saturday I had the honor and pleasure of visiting The Mariners' Museum and Park to celebrate the annual "Battle of Hampton Roads" events. The most impressive object was the skeg from the USS Monitor (photo). The skeg supported the rudder and propeller and has been in treatment since we recovered it in 2000. The Museum's Conservation Department did a great job in conserving it for the enjoyment and education of current and future visitors.
I also had the pleasure of visiting with the staff of the NOAA Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (photo). They deserve a huzzah for making the partnership with The Mariners' Museum so effective and exciting. I really miss working with them, and I'm glad they're only a half-hour drive away so I can look in on them frequently.
There's more excitement to come, as the Conservation Lab continues to process more Monitor artifacts.

12/18/2023

Horatio Nelson would have had his hands full with this Korean admiral. Even if these statistics are somewhat exaggerated, he was a hellofa naval warfighter.

Admiral Yi Sun-sin died 425 years ago today, in his final victory against the Japanese on behalf of the Joseon dynasty. He died of a gunshot wound at the Battle of Noryang on December 16, 1598, the closing battle of … Continue reading →

09/10/2023

What a great adventure this cruise would be, even though the voyagers know the outcome of Darwin's research!

Almost 200 years ago, Charles Darwin set sail from Plymouth, UK, as a naturalist on HMS Beagle on an epic voyage that would prove pivotal in the development of his theories of evolution.   This week, the 105-year-old Dutch schooner Oosterschelde set … Continue reading →

03/27/2023

I'm sorry this voyage doesn't include the East Coast! What an undertaking!

In June 2016, I had the pleasure of visiting Hōkūleʻa, a Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoe, when she sailed into New York harbor in the third year of an epic voyage. Since her launch in 1975, Hōkūleʻa, had crisscrossed the Pacific … Continue reading →

03/23/2023

I recommend that everyone interested in maritime heritage should read this excellent article. The topic of commercial salvors vs the historic preservation community is discussed in detail, and both sides of the debate are given voice. The subject is an incredibly important shipwreck lying in the waters off Florida.

While this wreck has international significance and is receiving high level attention, the same arguments apply just as well to the most humble submerged sites in our own back yard.

https://hakaimagazine.com/features/treasure-fever/?fbclid=IwAR0GST6ODrxtANhsEL6Hd_BBDuNK4u1PJF1uRyVDYRhfACGkV8C-b6TYTpA

The discovery of a legendary, lost shipwreck in North America has pitted treasure hunters and archaeologists against each other, raising questions about who should control sunken riches.

03/12/2023

I attended the Middle Atlantic Archaeology Conference on Friday and Saturday to visit with friends. It was a great venue to sell a few copies of my new book, which has the subtitle "With a Focus on the Mid-Atlantic! The weather was terrible, but we were supposed to be attending presentations all day, so it didn't really matter. There were no maritime papers, so maybe next year the chapter can send a few speakers.

03/12/2023

Did you ever wonder when the policy of "women and children first" was started? That's tonight's Happy Hour Special over on the Maritime Heritage Virtual Pub.