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MMS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: ONGOING STUDIES |
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MMS OCS Region: |
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Title: |
Investigation for Potential Spanish Shipwrecks in Ultra-Deepwater (GM-08-09) |
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Planning Areas: |
Gulfwide |
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Total Cost: $219,858.00 |
Period of Performance: FY 2008-2010 |
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Conducting Organization: |
Southeastern Archaeological Research, Inc. (SEARCH) |
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MMS Contact: |
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Description: Historic shipwrecks have to date been discovered through oil industry sonar surveys in water depths of up to 6,500 feet. Many of these wrecks were previously not known to exist in these areas from the historic record. Taking these discoveries into account, MMS now requires archaeological survey in some deepwater areas, primarily on the approach to the Mississippi River among those lease areas requiring archaeological investigation.
New information has come to light suggesting a higher potential for early (16th-18th century) shipwrecks in the ultra-deepwater part of the Gulf of Mexico Region (GOMR) (particularly in the Sigsbee Escarpment, Keathley Canyon, and Walker Ridge areas) than previously suspected. The MMS studies to date have largely discounted the presence of Exploration or Colonial Period shipwrecks in significant numbers in the GOMR because of the paucity of reported shipwrecks from those periods in the secondary literature. What has not been explored thoroughly are losses associated with causes other than wrecking (such as fire, structural failure of the hull, or armed attack) that would have caused a ship to sink far from land. Since the likelihood of anyone surviving such a catastrophe at sea also diminishes considerably, the likelihood of its loss site being accurately reported is almost nil. Generally, such ships would be reported as simply “lost at sea.”
Colonial Period shipwrecks in ultra-deepwater almost exclusively would be associated with the Spanish treasure fleets leaving annually from Veracruz, Mexico bound for Havana, Cuba, and eventually for Spain. Hundreds of ships laden with silver from the mines in central Mexico made the passage to Cuba. Prevailing winds and currents in the Gulf dictated that fleets sailed north, northwest from Vera Cruz to about 26° north latitude before turning east for Florida. Losses of ships on this route are poorly understood. Vessels of this period found in the ultra-deepwater of the Gulf of Mexico likely would be exceptionally well preserved with no disturbance from man or the mixing action of storms. Marine organisms have been found to attack and destroy wooden ships’ hulls even in deep water so that sites are likely to appear deflated. There will likely be only a slight expression of the site above the seafloor. It also may be widely scattered if the vessel spilled its contents over a wide area in its plunge to the bottom through thousands of feet of water. As a result these sites which potentially are among the most historically significant shipwrecks of any in the world will be difficult to detect and to recognize. |
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Objectives: Using primary historic documents to develop a strategy for identifying and recognizing such sites in ultra-deepwater. |
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Methods: The study should focus on an analysis of Spanish records housed in the Archivo General de Indias to determine frequency of losses and potential for loss in the central and western planning areas. |
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Products: A GIS database and final report. |
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Importance to MMS: This study will aid in planning purposes for oil and gas exploration and development in ultra-deepwater. |
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Current Status: Awarded |
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Final Report Due: |
August 2010 |
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Publications: |
None |
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Affiliated WWW Sites: |
None |
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Revised date: |
March 2009 |
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ESPIS |
ESPIS
- All completed ESP Studies: |
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