Scuba Geek

Two 18th century shipwrecks found by British Scuba Divers in the Caribbean June 20, 2006

Posted by Andy Carroll in : WreckDiving , trackback

In 2005 the Bristol University team were trying to locate the HMS Nymph, a warship which sank in the British Virgin Islands in 1783. They found not one wreck, but two, a vessel of 80-100 tons, built for trade, and originating in Bermuda or the Caribbean region, and a 250-ton vessel, also built for trade, and constructed along the eastern North American seaboard.

The team plan on returing to the site and using a robot to collect video data which will then be catalogued.

From a report on the BBC;

The team, led by Kimberly Monk of the university’s department of archaeology and anthropology, will survey the sites with divers and remote sensing technology.

“These wrecks are fascinating time capsules providing a unique window into the past and we are delighted to have this phenomenal opportunity to document them,” said Ms Monk.

“Unlike land-based archaeological sites, the nature of harbour environments has allowed for impressive organic preservation, enabling us to expand on existing knowledge in the areas of colonialism, warfare and 18th Century society.”