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SHIPWRECK RESEARCH
By Capt. Dan Berg
Wreck research, or the ability to find out pertinent accurate
information on a shipwreck of interest, is an important part of
wreck diving. It's nice to tell someone that you dove a paddle wheel
steamship, but it's downright impressive to show them a historical
photo and casually mention the exact date and cause of her sinking.
Wreck research can also tie into finding more artifacts or
identifying unknown shipwrecks.
There are many sources of information available to the sport diver,
depending on the type of wreck and date of her sinking. These range
from the knowledge of local fisherman to articles, books and primary
source material. Some are more appropriate than others. My basic
rule is to take the "easiest path" approach to research. For
example, most divers will not want to travel to Washington, D.C., to
the National Archives and spend days digging through their card
files when a letter can get the same, or sometimes better results.
Granted the serious experienced researcher may get more information
in Washington, but, in most cases, the pertinent historical
information is readily available by mail.
Obtaining the ship's name and approximate date of her sinking are
the starting points of most research projects. The ship's name has
been found by divers recovering her bell, or capstan cover, or the
wreck may be known by a certain name, but her history may never have
been traced.
I usually start my research by writing to one or more of the local
marine museums. If the wreck is a Naval vessel, I also write to the
Navy. If it's a Coast Guard vessel, I'll write to the Coast Guard.
If the wreck is a foreign ship, I'll try writing to a marine museum
in that country, or I'll hire a researcher overseas to assist in the
search for information. While waiting for them to reply, I pay a
visit to a nearby library that carries THE NEW YORK TIMES or any
local paper on microfilm. THE NEW YORK TIMES is a valuable source
of information for the late 1850's and early 1900's. Almost all
major shipwrecks are listed on the newspaper's front page or under
titles such as marine casualties, explosions, disasters, or
shipping. Once at the library, the search can go in either of two
directions. If I know the actual date of sinking, I simply ask for
the current microfilm reel and search by page on that date. If the
exact date of sinking is unknown, I refer to the index volumes.
These volumes area little confusing, but contain a wealth of
information. Wrecks can actually be found under a variety of
sub-titles such as explosions, marine disasters, shipping, etc.
Each year they mat be listed under a different title, so you must
scan all possible subtitles in each volume to find where they have
listed shipwrecks in that volume. Once the wreck in question is
found, the index gives you the date, page number and column number.
This can then be easily found on microfilm. Photocopies can be made
of all pertinent pages. Be sure to scan the following day's paper
for continuous coverage.
The third source is articles that have been written in either diving
or fishing related magazines. These seem even more valuable when
you consider that someone else has already gone through the trouble
of doing the research. Don't forget to look in any books that may
have been written on the particular subject you are studying. There
are many well researched books with invaluable information available
at local libraries or through dive shops. Last, but not least, talk
to divers who frequent the area. Diver learned knowledge is vital to
all research projects. They can give you valuable information such
as depth, condition, layout, aquatic life, types of artifacts and
currents.
By the time you're done, I'm sure you will have a folder full of
photo copies from different sources. No doubt you will also have
conflicting information as to the time, date and number of
casualties. What I've found to be the causes are typing errors from
the original articles printed about the wreck. These articles with
bad information become a source of information for the next author
who is writing on the same subject, and thus creates a vicious
cycle. As a researcher, you are responsible to be as accurate as
possible. Usually going back to your earliest source for verifying
information assures accuracy. If available, check out any
conflicting information by going back to the original Coast Guard
or Life Saving Service reports. These are available at some marine
museums.
Once finished, share your knowledge with the sport divers in your
area. It will make wreck diving more rewarding and enjoyable for
all.
SOURCES OF SHIPWRECK INFORMATION
Library of Congress
Geography and Map Division
Washington, DC20540
Mariners Museum Library
Newport News, VI23606
Maritime Administration
Division of Reserve Fleet
Fleet Disposal Branch
Department of Commerce Building
Washington DC 20230
National Archives and Records Service
Attention: NCRD
8th and Pennsylvania Ave, MW
General Administration
Washington DC 20408
National Maritime Museum
Porter Shaw Library
Foot of Polk Street
San Francisco, CA94109
National Ocean Service
Hydrographic Surveys Branch
6001 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD20852
Naval Historical Center (SH)
Building 220-2
Washington Navy Yard
Washington, DC20374
Peabody Museum of Salem
Phillips Library
East India Square
Salem, MA 01970
Philadelphia Maritime Museum Library
321 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA19106
Smithsonian Institution
Museum of American History
Washington, DC20560
Steamship Historical Society of America
University of Baltimore Library
1420 Maryland Ave
Baltimore MD
South Street Seaport Museum
207 Front Street
New York, NY 10038
Texas Antiquities Committee
Box 12276
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
GREAT LAKES
Burton Historical Collection
Detroit Public Library
5201 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48202
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Great Lakes Maritime Institute
Belle Isle
Detroit, MI 48207
Great Lakes Charts
630 Federal Building
U.S. Courthouse
Detroit MI 48226
Great Lakes Historical Society
480 Main Street
Vermilion, OH44089
BERMUDA
Bermuda Maritime Museum
Po Box MA 273
Mangrove Bay, Bermuda MA BX
CANADA
Canadian Hydrographic Service
Surveys and Mapping Branch
No 8 Temporary Building
Ottawa Ontario Canada
Wheelhouse Maritime Museum
222 Cumberland Street
Ottawa 2,
Ontario, Canada,K1N 7H5
Public Archives of Canada
Trade and Communications Records Center
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Canada,K1A ON3
ENGLAND
Imperial War Museum
Lambeth Rd
London, England,SE1 6HZ
National Maritime Museum
Greenwich
London, England,SE1 9NF
Cunard Museum
University of Liverpool
Po Box 147
Liverpool, England, L69 3BX
SPAIN
Archives Of The Indies
Seville, Spain
Museo Naval
Madrid, Spain
Museo National
Madrid, Spain
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The Shipwreck Diving E-Book
Instant Downloadable E-Book
Shipwreck Diving,
by Capt. Dan Berg is a complete how to book about the sport of
wreck diving. This book is packed with information and heavily
illustrated with over 80 sensational color photographs. |
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