The Mariners' Museum and the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

NOAA-sponsored Research in the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

    NOAA carried out its first expedition to the site in July and August 1977. Approaching the Monitor on the first submersible dive of the expedition, the archaeologist spotted a brass ship's lantern rolling across the ocean bottom near the turret. Because the lantern would be lost if not recovered, and because the Smithsonian would provide immediate conservation services, the decision was made to recover it. The lantern proved to be virtually intact, although the brass was in extremely fragile condition. It was of particular interest that the lantern has a red Fresnel lens--evidence that it was a signal lantern rather than a lantern used to light the interior of the ship. This brings to mind Paymaster Keeler's vivid accounts of watching the Monitor's red lantern as it vanished and reappeared on the dark, stormy ocean the night the ship sank.

    In July and August 1979, NOAA sponsored an ambitious 28-day expedition to the Monitor. The excavation of a 3-foot-by-3-foot area near the bow was conducted in order to provide valuable data that could not be generated by other means. This would allow for examination of the condition of structural remains and artifacts that had been buried for many years and therefore protected from the currents and shifting sands. A detailed study of the plans of the Monitor indicated that the area selected was in the area of the captain's cabin. Archaeologists positioned an aluminum frame over the excavation area to provide both video and still photography. Sediment within the excavation was fanned away by hand or removed with a low-pressure induction dredge.

    The Monitor's unique four-fluked anchor was recovered in 1983. Historical sources reported that the anchor had been "run out" the night the Monitor sank in an attempt to bring her head into the wind and make her ride the heavy seas more easily. Weather conditions prohibited diving on the site of the wreck, but the anchor, located 495 feet south-southwest of the bow, could be excavated and recovered. When found, the anchor lay with two flukes exposed to the water and the other two buried in the sediment. A link of the anchor chain was cut by the archaeologist using an underwater torch and a lift bag was attached for transport to the surface. The anchor was brought aboard the research vessel, where it was extensively examined and photographed. It was then transported to a temporary conservation facility to begin a process that would take nearly three years to complete.

USS Monitor anchor From the Collections of The Mariners' Museum

    Beneath layers of corrosion and concreted shells, the anchor was in a good state of preservation. It had been constructed with the shank and two flukes in one piece, with the additional flukes attached by large threaded pins and square nuts. After approximately 30 months in conservation, the nuts holding the two attached flukes were unscrewed from the threaded pins to remove all of the corrosion from the surfaces behind the flukes. The anchor was reassembled for exhibition following completion of the conservation process. It weighed approximately 1,500 pounds when recovered and 1,350 pounds after all of the corrosion products had been removed.

    At times the visibility for the June 1990 expedition was in excess of 170 feet, which resulted in very high-quality color video of the site. Four permanent markers were deployed near the wreck, two off the bow and two off the stern, to serve as reference points for future photography and measurements. Three of the monuments are plain. The fourth bears a brass plaque with the following:

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary
"What the fire of the enemy failed to do,
the elements have accomplished."

William F. Keeler

This monument dedicated June 1990

    During the July reconnaissance, an intact chimney from an oil lamp was recovered from the sand adjacent to the starboard stern. Following documentation and cleaning by a conservator, it was transported to The Mariners' Museum for further conservation and is currently on display.

USS Monitor propeller From the Collections of The Mariners' Museum

    On June 5, 1998, the Monitor's four-bladed propeller was successfully raised, along with an 11-foot section of shaft. The navy dive team recovered the propeller without damage. It was transported to The Mariners' Museum, where it is undergoing conservation in a specially designed tank that permits public viewing.

Go to Main Category:
The Monitor Today

Go to other documents in this category:
Chronology of the Rediscovery of the USS Monitor
NOAA-Sponsored/-Permitted Expeditions to the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary
The Monitor Collection