<< HENRIETTA MARIE  << RESEARCH << HOME
A Re-examination of the Hull of the Henrietta Marie

A Re-examination of the Hull of the Henrietta Marie

Corey Malcom
May 28-June 4, 2001 

In Accordance with FKNMS Permit

Acknowledgements 

This project was able to proceed only through the generosity and support of the RPM Nautical Foundation. A sincere thanks goes to all RPM staff who worked tirelessly to make sure everything went as planned. A special debt of gratitude is owed to George E. Robb, Jr., President of RPM for his continuing commitment to shipwreck research; the Henrietta Marie in particular. Thanks to David Moore for traveling to Key West and volunteering his time while continuing his long involvement with this ship. 

Project Participants 

Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society :
Corey Malcom - Project director
Dylan Kibler - Photographer
Brian Blanco - Archaeological Assistant/
Videographer 
Gina Ferris - Student Intern 

RPM Nautical Foundation :
George E. Robb, Jr. - President 
Dan Davis - Operations Manager 
Cristian Swanson - Captain, R/V ROBO/ 
Videographer 
Bruce Darby - Captain, R/V Lakota 
Craig Jones - Mate/Archaeological
Assistant 
Paul Major - Diving Safety Officer 
Sara Hoskins - Student Intern 
Ashley Porter - Student Intern 

National Geographic Society :
Michael Cottman - Writer 
Courtney Platt - Photographer 

Volunteer :
David Moore - Archaeologist

History

The modern history of the Henrietta Marie spans nearly thirty years (Malcom and Moore, 2000). The wreck was first discovered in the Summer of 1972 by Armada Research, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Treasure Salvors, Inc. Shortly after this discovery, a portion of the ship's hull was uncovered. Notes on its location, and rough features were recorded. A small number of photographs were taken. The site was re-visited in 1973, but little progress was made in understanding the wooden remains. In 1983, working with a Treasure Salvors sub-contractor, Mr. Henry Taylor of Neptune Explorations, Inc., David Moore began a definitive study of the wreck (Moore, 1997). With a more focused and refined excavation, they began a process of systematically recording the remaining hull components of the Henrietta Marie. This work continued in 1984, and was concluded in March of 1985. Additional excavation and survey continued at the site, but the wooden remains were not seen since. 

Objectives

Because the hull of the Henrietta Marie had not been seen in over 16 years, questions lingered regarding its condition. The basic intention of this present project was to assess the status of the structure. Assuming it was in good condition, the remainder of the work was to be geared toward uncovering it, and building upon the survey started in 1983. Portions of the wreck had never been uncovered, and measurements from these areas were needed to assist in an accurate reconstruction of the vessel. Another important objective was to complete a photographic and videographic study, with images that could fulfill both scientific and popular goals. Toward this end, representatives of the National Geographic Society joined the project for an upcoming story in their magazine.

Methodology

The hull lay buried in the sand at the southern end of the known wreckage. Earlier survey work had placed the monument at approximately 72' NW of the hull structure (a theoretical measurement because the monument was placed in 1993, and the two had never been seen together). Using this distance as a guide, it was relatively easy to relocate the area of the buried hull, but a large volume of sand, rubble and silt had to be removed to expose it. All excavation in this project was conducted with a pair of 4'' water-fed, venturi dredges, and within four days the hull was completely uncovered.

A large number of loose structural components were also found, buried to the immediate south, and also to the west of the main part of the hull. These had been placed in "storage" there in 1985. After they were uncovered, and taken to an area away from the excavation for detailed recording. Data on the loose structural elements was collected via hand measurements, 1:1 tracings, photo mosaics, and video images. Various faces of each component were recorded, as were fastener patterns. All of this information will be distilled into representations of each piece that will, hopefully, be able to be schematically incorporated into the rest of the hull. Features of the main part of the structure were recorded by hand, along with photo-mosaics, and video. Details such as fastener patterns, frame curvatures, scarphs, and other construction features were documented to supplement earlier work.

Results

In general, this excavation followed and revealed the "best case" scenario. The remains of the Henrietta Marie were located, and found to be in an excellent state of preservation. Portions of the hull that had never been seen before were uncovered, most notably the entire keel and all of the sternpost. A 3rd rudder gudgeon was uncovered near the lowest part of the sternpost. An additional group of at least three components was found approximately 25 feet to the south of the intact hull. Unfortunately there was not enough time to investigate and define these pieces. With the exception of one loose hanging-knee, all the previously noted loose structural elements were relocated. The bearing/distance relationship of the hull to the monument was found to be exactly as anticipated, measuring 72' 6" from the center of the monument to the top of the existing sternpost.


With a large crew focused solely on the structure, a tremendous amount of detailed information was recorded. Scattered, loose, components were recorded individually. The overall dimensions of the entire hull, and construction details such as scarphs and fastener patterns were measured. Additionally, the curvature of the frames of the intact structure were recorded, which will allow for more accurate lines to be calculated. Approximately 500 35mm photographs were taken, and ten hours of 8mm videotape recorded. With all of this new information, the ability to convey the situation of the Henrietta Marie, and the objects recovered from her, will be much easier. 

Bibliography

2000 Malcom, Corey and David Moore
"The Henrietta Marie Shipwreck Site." Unpublished manuscript on file at Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society, Key West.

1997 Moore, David
"Site Report: Historical and Archaeological Investigations of the Shipwreck Henrietta Marie." On file at Mel fisher Maritime Heritage Society, Key West.

Email archaeology for more information.