NOAA's Seirios camera platform, operating above the Little Hercules ROV, images the anchor and remnants of a copper-sheathed shipwreck in the Gulf of Mexico. The wood has nearly all disintegrated after more than a century on the seafloor. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Gulf of Mexico 2012. Download larger version (jpg, 1.7 MB).
ROV Dive Highlights
Video footage captured by the Little Hercules remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and camera platform during the April 26 ROV dive from NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer during the Gulf of Mexico Expedition 2012. The dive was conducted at site 15577 – a recently mapped but never-before seen shipwreck in the western Gulf of Mexico. The dive revealed the remnants of a copper-sheathed sailing ship, likely from the early to mid-19th century. While most of the wood has since disintegrated, the oxidized copper sheathing remained along with a variety of artifacts. These included plates, glass bottles, guns, cannons, the ship’s stove, navigational instruments, and anchors. This was a spectacular dive that represented a truly remarkable find. Video courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Gulf of Mexico 2012. Download (mp4, 304.9 MB)
Dive 12 was conducted today on a recently mapped but never-before seen shipwreck located to the northeast of Keathley Canyon. After spending part of the day mapping with the expectation that the dive may have to be cancelled due to weather, the winds and seas settled down and the ship agreed to turn the ship around and conduct the dive at night. The ROV reached the seafloor shortly after 8 pm and revealed the remnants of a copper-sheathed ship, likely from the early 19th century. While most of the wood has long since disintegrated, the oxidized copper sheathing remained along with a variety of artifacts. These artifacts included plates, glass bottles (some with the contents still sealed inside), guns, cannons, the ship’s stove, navigational instruments, and anchors. This was a spectacular dive that represented a truly remarkable find.
