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NOAA-Sponsored/-Permitted Expeditions to the Monitor
National Marine Sanctuary
Farb Monitor Expedition
May 16 - 24, 1992
Divers under the direction of Roderick Farb make high-quality
photographs of the wreck using hand-held cameras. Measurements
of the wreck are made for comparison with computer-generated
studies.
Farb Monitor Expedition
August 30 - September 4, 1992
Divers under the direction of Roderick Farb continue measuring
and photographing the wreck for comparison with computer-generated
studies. Several condiment bottles are observed within the wreck
forward of the midships bulkhead. Observations indicate that
the skeg has shifted farther to the north and the resulting
shift has increased the gap in the lower hull. Additional plating
has separated from the armor belt.
NOAA
September 11 - 12, 1992
NOAA and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution aboard the
R/V Edwin Link perform assessments of the wreck using
the submersible Johnson-Sea Link II. Precise GPS (Global
Positioning System) positions for the wreck are obtained. Areas
of change in the wreck are documented, and video and still images
of the site are recorded.
Hess Expedition
September 21 - 26, 1992
Divers under the direction of Peter Hess obtain high-quality
still and video images of the wreck. Manual measurements of
the site are made for later comparison. Photogrammetric quality
images are not obtained due to adverse weather.
Monitor Archaeological Research and Structural Survey
(MARRS) Expedition
July 26 - August 11, 1993
Teams from NOAA, Harbor Branch, and the U.S. Navy, using the
R/V Edwin Link, an open diving bell, and the submersible
Johnson-Sea Link II, conduct a photographic study of
the wreck with hand-held and video cameras. On-site activities
are limited due to adverse weather. Divers conduct a limited
excavation within the base of the turret; the excavation verifies
that the turret deck has disintegrated and the turret is filled
with sediment and debris washing out of the hull. A 2,000-pound
mooring block is placed 30 feet north of the midships bulkhead.
Damaged and deteriorated areas of the wreck are documented in
detail.
Farb Monitor Expedition
August 15 - 20, 1993
Divers under the direction of Roderick Farb make high-quality
photographic images of the wreck with hand-held cameras. Measurements
of the wreck are made for continued comparison. Six condiment
bottles located forward of the midships bulkhead are photographed,
mapped, and recovered. Severe hull deterioration and the exposure
of the bottles is probably due to current scouring.
Gentile - Hess Expedition
August 23 - 27, 1993
Divers under the direction of Gary Gentile and Peter Hess make
measurements of the wreck for continued comparison. High-quality
still and video images of the site are recorded and an ironstone
dinner plate, a condiment bottle, and a pair of brass oarlocks
are photographed, mapped, and recovered.
NOAA Emergency Assessment
September 28, 1993
Teams from NOAA and Harbor Branch perform an emergency survey
of the wreck to document any damage from Hurricane Emily, which
had passed over the Sanctuary earlier in the month. Still and
video images are recorded and a brass lamp fitting is recovered.
A sub-surface buoy is attached to the concrete mooring block.
No damage from the hurricane is observed.
NOAA Research Expedition
June 11 - 13, 1994
Teams from NOAA place a 6,000-pound anchor approximately 500
feet southwest of the wreck. A sub-surface buoy is attached
to the anchor 50 feet below the surface. A recording current
meter is placed approximately 200 feet southwest of the wreck.
Lander Expedition
August 8 - 13, 1994
Divers under the direction of Barbara Lander record high-quality
photographic images of the wreck for use in generating a photogrammetric
map of the site. Twenty exposed artifacts are photographed,
mapped, and recovered, including condiment and apothecary bottles,
bottle fragments, and a plate fragment.
NOAA Research and Annual Assessment
August 16, 1994
Teams from NOAA, Harbor Branch, and the U.S. Navy carry out
an assessment of the site. NOAA and navy personnel examine the
wreck to evaluate recovery options. Using the R/V Sea Diver
and the submersible Celia, a controlled video study of
the wreck is carried out. Only one submersible dive is completed
due to adverse weather conditions.
Farb Monitor Expedition
August 16 - 19, 1994
Divers under the direction of Roderick Farb make high-quality
photographic images of the wreck with hand-held camera equipment.
Adverse weather severely limits dives.
Lander Expedition
August 21 - 26, 1994
Divers under the direction of Barbara Lander, using hand-held
cameras, make high-quality images of the wreck. Adverse weather
limits operations.
NOAA - US Navy Reconnaissance Expedition
September 26 - 28, 1994
This planned inspection and reconnaissance survey in preparation
for a 1995 mission to recover the Monitor's propeller
is severely affected by strong currents at the site.
Special Use Permit - Non-Research Dives
September 24 - 26 and October 21, 1994
Divers under the direction of Captain Arthur Kirchner conduct
the first non-research dives on the wreck. Divers are permitted
to observe and photograph the wreck but are not allowed to come
into contact with the ship or any artifacts that might be observed.
The expeditions are limited due to adverse surface and sub-surface
conditions.
Lander - Tysall Expedition
August 31 - September 6, 1995
Divers under the direction of Barbara Lander and Terrence Tysall
make quality still images of the wreck. Adverse weather limits
dive operations.
Monitor Archaeological Research, Recovery, and Structural
Survey Mission (MARRS '95)
August 12 - October 21, 1995
Teams from NOAA, the U.S. Navy, The Mariners' Museum, the National
Underwater Research Center/UNC at Wilmington, and Key West Diver,
Inc., participate in an expedition to recover the Monitor's
propeller. Only three NOAA dives are made on four separate trips
due to severe weather conditions that affect the region for
two months. Using the R/V Elusive, the Navy placed a
surface mooring buoy for the NOAA divers. The propeller is prepared
for recovery but the operation cannot be completed because of
severe weather conditions.
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The Mariners' Museum and the Monitor
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