The current excavation site, with trenches labeled. DSV Terschelling is in blue.
In the summer of 2000, one month was spent excavating and recording selected areas of the vessel, with ROV's (remote operated vehicles) used to explore the perimeters of the site. All diving was undertaken using surface supplied diving equipment with voice communications and video. All dives were recorded on video, which provided an important part of the archaeological site record. Structure and artefact assemblages were surveyed using an acoustic positioning system. Information regarding the location of the diving vessel was combined with fixes of artefacts, structure or divers on the seabed. All these forms of information (acoustic, GPS, video images, etc.) were entered into a networked computer database.
The stern of the vessel was located and surveyed. Excavation towards the middle of the vessel uncovered the cargo of bricks and associated artefacts. The vessel is lying at an attitude of 33 degrees towards the port side with the majority of the hold intact and portions of the orlop deck preserved.
The dive team has continued the areas excavated in 2000, moving from the stern towards the bow on the port side, delineating the extent of the brick cargo and the objects and structure which fell out of the vessel as it heeled to port. The current excavation area has revealed portions of the standing rigging and collapsed structure as well as some of the personal objects, combs, tobacco boxes, pewter tankards and domestic utensils.
Sponsors
The
Oxford Maritime Trust
Falmouth Divers Ltd.
Eiva A/S
DSV Terschelling
Fishers (Underwater Engineering Ltd. Aberdeen)
3H Consulting
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Project Objectives |
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History of Diving the Wreck |
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Artefacts |
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History of the VOC |
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Current Project | |
The Museum |
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Wrecking of the Vliegent Hart |
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Excavation and Diving |
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Useful References |
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