Mardi Gras Shipwreck
Daily Log
May 30, 2007, Wednesday
Update by Della Scott-Ireton, FPAN, and Larry Reid, Veolia
A couple of small but exciting artifacts were recovered today. Two copper alloy buttons have a basketweave design on the front; the backs feature a wreath decoration with what appears to be a crown motif. One may have stamped or engraved writing as well, although corrosion makes it difficult to tell – we’ll learn more after they are cleaned in the lab. We also found the face of a pocketwatch with hour and second numbers; a curious concretion found nearby may contain the inner workings of the clock. Most of the small artifacts have been removed and it’s nearly time to move on to the large items such as the weapons chest, stove, and cannon. We’re currently removing sediment from around the weapons chest to see how best to recover it.
All of these tiny, fragile artifacts were excavated and recovered from the sea floor by the team of ROV pilots on the project. Although under the direction of the archaeological staff, the ROV guys are the ones actually doing the work. And they are doing it with a finesse and delicacy you wouldn’t believe capable of the big robotic grasping arms of the ROV. Operating an ROV is not easy – the two-person team works together, one flying the machine and operating the 5-function manipulator, and the other person operating the complicated 7-function manipulator. They have to be aware of the large site features so they don’t bump into them, while paying close attention to the sea floor to avoid damaging fragile wooden elements of the shipwreck. All of the archaeologists are amazed at the skill of the pilots/technicians, both in operating and in maintaining and devising tools for the ROV. The pilots are very much members of the project team – they are interested in the project and in learning archaeology, and freely offer their expertise for the excavation and recovery strategy. Further, they have been good sports in using unusual tools, quickly adapting their skills to shovels, fryer baskets, and pool nets! The Mardi Gras Shipwreck Project elite ROV team includes:
| Alan Cooper | Shane Hooyman |
| Dave Cruz | Henry “Hank” Lang |
| Joe Foster | Rob “Sarge” Longacre |
| Romar “Goose” Gutierrez | John Parker |
| John Harris | Claudio Pennelupi |
| Greg “Grog” Henniger | Mike “Mert” Stevens |
| Larry Reid | |
