Shipwreck Photo”Bomb”etry: April 12, 2018

 

Looming out of the gloom in deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the tug New Hope appears as a long-forgotten crumbling relic. With the bow riding proud and a towering smoke stack, the tug sits on the seafloor as if still making way to the next port. Humble, yet powerful, tugs provide aid to vessels in distress, tow barges to move commodities to markets, and assist ships entering and leaving ports. New Hope is a well-preserved example of this vessel class.

On September 29, 1965, New Hope encountered the strong winds and high seas of Tropical Storm Debbie off the Louisiana coast. While the seven-member crew boarded a life raft and were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard, the remains of the tug sank to the seafloor.

During the Gulf of Mexico 2018 expedition, for the first time, archaeologists and scientists explored the wreck, documenting many features common to mid-twentieth century tugs and inventorying the marine life now making a home on this unique “island” resting on the muddy and desolate seafloor.

 

Download SD version (mp4, 38.0 MB).

Download HD version (mp4, 40.0 MB).

Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Gulf of Mexico 2018.

 


 

For More Information

Dive 01: Photo"bomb"etry

Dive 01: Engineering and Cultural Heritage

Photogrammetry for Archaeological Survey

Structure from Motion Photogrammetry

Education Theme: Marine Archaeology