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Chronology of the Rediscovery of the USS Monitor
1974
March 8
After extensive examination of evidence recorded in August 1973,
a formal announcement is made that the Duke University team
has located the wreck of the USS Monitor.
March 11
A planning meeting is convened at the Naval Research Laboratory
(NRL) in Washington, D.C. Several organizations present their
findings and conclusions concerning the location of the Monitor.
It is decided that the first site to be examined during the
proposed April expedition using the Alcoa Seaprobe will
be the site located during the August 1973 Eastward survey.
April 1 - 7
Using side-scan sonar and video cameras, the Alcoa Seaprobe
expedition verifies that Duke University has indeed found the
wreck of the USS Monitor. The wreck is located in 220
feet of water lying upside down on the bottom with the after
section of her deck resting on the displaced turret. Remote
35mm cameras are used to photograph the wreck. These photographs
are later assembled into a photomosaic of the wreck by the Naval
Intelligence Division. Further examinations of the site are
canceled due to adverse weather conditions.
August 12 -16
The U.S. Coast Guard conducts an underwater search experiment
at the Monitor site. The Coast Guard successfully locates
the unmarked wreck without using "precision navigation
equipment." The CGC Chilula performs a standard
search for locating distressed craft and locates the wreck site
in approximately four hours. Additional plans to film the wreck
are canceled because of strong bottom currents.
August 19 - 22, 26 - 28
A team from Duke University, aboard the research vessel Beveridge,
attempts to obtain 35mm "side shots" of the Monitor
for a profile photomosaic. Underwater TV cameras are used to
help position the "vertical" camera. Strong underwater
currents and technical problems prevent the 35mm camera from
being used.
September 26
The Governor of North Carolina nominates the wreck of the USS
Monitor as the nation's first marine sanctuary.
1984
January 30
On the anniversary of the designation of the Monitor
National Marine Sanctuary, ceremonies are held at the U.S. Naval
Academy, where the red signal lantern recovered in 1977 is displayed
for the first time. The lantern is currently part of a permanent
Monitor exhibit at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News,
Virginia.
1986
June
The wreck of the USS Monitor is designated a National
Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior's National
Park Service.
July 24
After undergoing almost three years of conservation, the Monitor's
anchor is unveiled during ceremonies at East Carolina University.
The anchor is now permanently displayed at The Mariners' Museum
in Newport News, Virginia.
1998
June
The Monitor's propeller and a portion of the propeller
shaft are recovered from the wreck site and delivered to The
Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia, for long-term conservation.
Go to Main Category:
The Monitor Today
Go to other documents in this category:
The Mariners' Museum and the Monitor
National Marine Sanctuary
NOAA-Sponsored/-Permitted Expeditions to
the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary
The Monitor Collection
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