The Island Wreck Site Underwater And Associated Photographs

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During this survey we noted that some sea urchins were apparently destroying some of the artefacts. We identified the critters as the red rock boring sea urchins called Echinometre Lucunter.  These were found eating the granite blocks in the shallows and to our amazement the iron cannons.  Tunnels had been bored into the iron by these critters who were found resting at the bottom of the hollows. The Team is conducting further research on this issue and is in contact with NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program and other leading scientists to find out more about these natural destroyers of underwater cultural heritage.

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Canadian student Mike Charter looking forward to another great dive

Canadian student Mike Charter looking forward to another great dive

Another iron cannon this time in deeper water

Another iron cannon this time in deeper water

Anchor No: 1 which was found close to the first jettisoned cannons and blocks, is the largest of the three anchors found

Anchor No: 1 which was found close to the first jettisoned cannons and blocks, is the largest of the three anchors found

The coral rock strata which forms the base of the island and the reefs, visible on the shore line to the north of the shipscape

The coral rock strata which forms the base of the island and the reefs, visible on the shore line to the north of the shipscape

Coral formations in the shallows

Coral formations in the shallows

Inspecting the ring on the small anchor

Inspecting the ring on the small anchor

Wesley ready to tag the small anchor

Wesley ready to tag the small anchor

English student Peter back from an enjoyable dive

English student Peter back from an enjoyable dive

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Possible iron keel bolt, one of a series found in the shallows

Possible iron keel bolt, one of a series found in the shallows

Fantastic Brain Coral

Fantastic Brain Coral

The underside of concreted trunnions of a six pounder iron cannon

The underside of concreted trunnions of a six pounder iron cannon

The casquetball up to the first reinforcement of an iron cannon with a series of holes in it. At the bottom of these holes was a Red Rock Boring sea urchin

The casquetball up to the first reinforcement of an iron cannon with a series of holes in it. At the bottom of these holes was a Red Rock Boring sea urchin

Another angle of the casquetball of the iron cannon with the holes in it

Another angle of the casquetball of the iron cannon with the holes in it

Local research conducted by our staff Rami found this photo of the same iron cannon. Note that the iron cannon resting on it was apparently stolen many years ago and moved to another site, so we are told

Local research conducted by our staff Rami found this photo of the same iron cannon. Note that the iron cannon resting on it was apparently stolen many years ago and moved to another site, so we are told

The muzzle of the same iron cannon. Note the holes in it

The muzzle of the same iron cannon. Note the holes in it

A close up showing the holes in this iron cannon

A close up showing the holes in this iron cannon

Another iron cannon part of a collection which were thrown over the side in a desperate attempt to lighten the ship during the initial throws of the wrecking process

Another iron cannon part of a collection which were thrown over the side in a desperate attempt to lighten the ship during the initial throws of the wrecking process

Divers measuring the iron cannons to DGPS reference points on the site

Divers measuring the iron cannons to DGPS reference points on the site

Beautiful fan corals

Beautiful fan corals

Dominican staff member Rami measuring in some of the granite blocks

Dominican staff member Rami measuring in some of the granite blocks

Unknown iron concretions found on the seabed

Unknown iron concretions found on the seabed

The reef life to the north of the site

The reef life to the north of the site

A small piece of grey knapped flint concreted to ballast stones

A small piece of grey knapped flint concreted to ballast stones

Jonathan Cho Fook Lun, from Barbados, surfacing from a dive

Jonathan Cho Fook Lun, from Barbados, surfacing from a dive

Divers returning to the boat under the watch full eye of Rami our Dive Master

Divers returning to the boat under the watch full eye of Rami our Dive Master

The ring of one of the main anchors

The ring of one of the main anchors

 

ADMAT's maritime archaeological  work on this wreck site was assisted by ADMAT-FRANCE a non profit organisation based in the Institut de Paléontologie Humaine, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris.

ADMAT-FRANCE is a sub division of the Anglo ~ Danish Maritime Archaeological Team

ADMAT is delighted to have an association with Muséum Nationald’Histoire Naturelle at Paris, départememt Préhistoire, UMR-CNRS 7194.