History:
Archaeology and Conservation

Henrietta Marie Site Plan.*
Click on map to see larger view. (Very large file)
The site of the Henrietta Marie is broadly scattered across the sea bed and it appears that the ship approached the reef from the north, breaking up as she passed over it. Charts of the site as it is today tell archaeologists that the ship came to rest on the south side of the reef. All that remains of the ship itself is a small section of the stern, with artifacts scattered throughout the surrounding sea bottom.

The Henrietta Marie met her fate on a shallow coral reef called New Ground, some 55 kilometers west of present-day Key West, Florida. For nearly 300 years the wreck lay buried under sand and coral growths in depths ranging from two to ten meters of water. In 1972, the scattered remains of the ship were discovered by American shipwreck salver Melvin A. Fisher. Recognizing the historical significance of the site, Fisher contacted divers and archaeologists to survey and excavate selected areas of the ship. Brief surveys and partial excavations of the site were conducted in 1972 and 1973, after which the site lay untouched for over ten years. Archaeologist David D. Moore joined Mel Fisher's team in 1983 and conducted excavation of the site for the next three years.

Corey Malcom discovers a set of pewter basins on the wreck site.**

Mel Fisher donated the majority of the artifacts he had excavated from the Henrietta Marie to the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society, but the site was not excavated again until 1991, when the Society's archaeological team, led by Corey Malcom conducted its own archaeological investigation.

Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society team member Wayne Lusardi discovers a set of slave shackles.***

The Society charted the site and excavated a number of important artifacts including two of the ship's iron cannons. Since 1988, the Society has assumed the responsibility of identifying, classifying and conserving the Henrietta Marie artifact assemblage.

Archaeologist David Moore investigates encrustation once
holding chain links.****

Conservation

After hundreds of years, the remains of the ship become stabilized in a marine environment. When these artifacts are excavated, a great effort must go into their readjustment to the aerobic world. Archaeologists say, "Every month of field work requires a year in the laboratory," and much of marine archaeology consists of this phase of the project.

Electrolytic conservation of iron objects in the laboratory of the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society.
Many artifacts absorb chlorides (salts) from seawater. When they are removed from the underwater environment the oxygen in the air will react with the chlorides to rapidly corrode the object. To prevent the pieces from being destroyed these chlorides must be removed. be reversing the electrochemical action of the sea, the salts are driven out and the artifact is stabilized.*****

Corey Malcom conserving the copper cook stove.******

Pewter Bottle
Each artifact is photographed and drawn as part of the 
total archaeological record.*******

Archival Research

After 1492 in the Americas, archaeology becomes historical archaeology, which means that written documents exist to support research. The artifacts and the life and times of the Henrietta Marie were extensively researched in archives in London and Jamaica. This enabled archaeologists to tie the recovered items directly to historical people and events.

Shipping record Barbados, 1698
William Deacon, who was the Henrietta Marie's captain on her first slaving voyage, is mentioned by name. It is this kind of record that allows historians and archaeologists to piece together the ship's history.********

Scale Weights
These weights were found on the Henrietta Marie site, but had William Deacon's initials scratched into the back of the smallest one. Either they were accidentally left on board after the first voyage or he allowed his weights to be used again because he was an investor of the ship.*********

In 1993, the National Association of of black Scuba Divers placed a monument on the site of the Henrietta Marie, honoring those Africans who died and those who survived the Middle Passage. Members of the Association often visit the monument as a pilgrimage.

Plaque placed on the monument on the site of the Henrietta Marie.**********

Oswald Sykes and Michael Cottman at the monument on the site of the Henrietta Marie.***********

*Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society
**Photo: Dylan Kibler
***Photo: Dylan Kibler
****Photo: Dylan Kibler
*****Photo: Dylan Kibler
******Photo: Dylan Kibler
*******Photo: Dylan Kibler
********Courtesy of the Public records Office, Kew, England
*********Artist: David D. Moore
**********Photo: Dylan Kibler
***********Phot: Dylan Kibler