Le Casimir Wreck Underwater Photographs for June/July 2014 Project.

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One of the first tasks was to build a new grid for this section of the wreck site. A 5 by 4 meter grid was created from PVC piping and was then painted the usual chequered paint style, which assists with the location of squares in low visibility. All of our equipment was then moved to the site and the grid was erected to great effect.

Once on the wreck site, numerous bricks had to be tidied up. These were originally stacked in the central hold section of the wreck, but subsequent attacks by looters who had scattered them in all directions. The scattered bricks were then positioned around the grid and a small pile to the north of the site. At the end of the survey these were repositioned where they had originally been located.

The diving was limited due to the time it took to get to the site which was two hours, and the fact that we had to depart the site by midday. This was because the wind would rise quickly and with in fifteen minutes the sea state can go from flat calm to rough. Because the wreck site is at the base of a reef which rises almost to the surface, the waves can get large enough to be a major problem. We therefore had no option but to “cut an run” whenever the wind was first noted. This resulted in about 2-3 hours of diving per day, which with a small team is not a lot.

The Team flying The Explorer Flag on Le Casimir Wreck site.

The Team flying The Explorer Flag on Le Casimir Wreck site.

Featured
 The Team about to descend down to the wreck of Le Casimir.

 The Team about to descend down to the wreck of Le Casimir.

A scalloped shell class oflead crystal perfume bottle on site.

A scalloped shell class oflead crystal perfume bottle on site.

A copper alloy thimble, part of the cargo can be seen at the left end of the middle futtock.

A copper alloy thimble, part of the cargo can be seen at the left end of the middle futtock.

A barrel class of lead crystal perfume bottle.

A barrel class of lead crystal perfume bottle.

A blue and white faienceware ointment pot, part of the cargo.

A blue and white faienceware ointment pot, part of the cargo.

Another blue and white pot.

Another blue and white pot.

The original "bottle bank" cave which was totally destroyed by the looters.

The original "bottle bank" cave which was totally destroyed by the looters.

Off to the wreck site flag flying.

Off to the wreck site flag flying.

Flying the flag on the site.

Flying the flag on the site.

The Team heading back after a successful day.

The Team heading back after a successful day.

 Survey square B0 with some of the sand covering removed.

 Survey square B0 with some of the sand covering removed.

Survey square C0 showing the upper section of the bottom planking.

Survey square C0 showing the upper section of the bottom planking.

Survey square B1 before hand fanning.

Survey square B1 before hand fanning.

Survey squares C1 and D1, partially uncovered.

Survey squares C1 and D1, partially uncovered.

Survey squares B0, C0 and B1, C1 looking at the ballast pile of bricksand the floors and futtocks.

Survey squares B0, C0 and B1, C1 looking at the ballast pile of bricksand the floors and futtocks.

The dredge boat on station above the wreck site.

The dredge boat on station above the wreck site.

Ruth and Wesley carefully checking the surface of each square prior to starting hand fanning.

Ruth and Wesley carefully checking the surface of each square prior to starting hand fanning.

Raimund hand fanning survey square D2.

Raimund hand fanning survey square D2.

The floors and futtocks outside the survey area.

The floors and futtocks outside the survey area.

The survey grid on Le Casimir bow section.

The survey grid on Le Casimir bow section.

Please go to page 3 to continue.

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.