piratediver
Sr. Member
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Artifacts from USS Tulip recovered by members of the
Maryland Maritime Archaeology Program have been returned to the U.S. Navy
and restored by the Underwater Archeology Division of the Naval History and
Heritage Command (NHHC).
Tulip, one of the one of the first Civil War screw-propelled steamships, has
been under 48 feet of brackish Potomac River water off Ragged Point, Va.,
since 1864. That's when the ship's starboard boiler blew, sending officers,
men, iron machinery and wooden structural components flying into the river.
It is believed that the wreckage was discovered in the mid-1960s by divers
who illegally pillaged artifacts and human remains from the ill-fated
vessel. But, it was not until the 1980s that the unlawful activities were
stopped when the Virginia Natural Recourse's Marine Police arrested and
prosecuted some of the offenders. It was at this point that the artifacts
were returned to the U.S. Navy.
Though submerged for more than 100 years, these artifacts were in very good
condition. The thieves, however, did not care for the discoveries. The
artifacts began to deteriorate. The metals corroded and the organic
materials broke down. When they were taken to the NHHC Underwater
Archaeology Branch Conservation Laboratory, they were placed in a stable
environment to prevent further deterioration until conservation could take
place.
One of the items, a tear-drop oil shaped globe lantern, similar to those
used throughout the vessel for lighting and common to the Civil War period,
was one of the most pristine and undamaged artifacts restored.
After removal of the chlorides that were present from being submerged, the
object was mechanically cleaned. Conservators used sharpened wooden picks
and small metal scalpels and various chemicals, such as formic acid, to
remove green corrosion. Other chemical treatments were used to inhibit
further corrosion and coat the exterior of the lantern beginning the process
of protecting it from adverse environmental conditions.
The final result is a stabilized artifact that is now available for study
and museum display. It is a tangible link to the crew that served aboard
Tulip during the Civil War.
Pirate Diver
Maryland Maritime Archaeology Program have been returned to the U.S. Navy
and restored by the Underwater Archeology Division of the Naval History and
Heritage Command (NHHC).
Tulip, one of the one of the first Civil War screw-propelled steamships, has
been under 48 feet of brackish Potomac River water off Ragged Point, Va.,
since 1864. That's when the ship's starboard boiler blew, sending officers,
men, iron machinery and wooden structural components flying into the river.
It is believed that the wreckage was discovered in the mid-1960s by divers
who illegally pillaged artifacts and human remains from the ill-fated
vessel. But, it was not until the 1980s that the unlawful activities were
stopped when the Virginia Natural Recourse's Marine Police arrested and
prosecuted some of the offenders. It was at this point that the artifacts
were returned to the U.S. Navy.
Though submerged for more than 100 years, these artifacts were in very good
condition. The thieves, however, did not care for the discoveries. The
artifacts began to deteriorate. The metals corroded and the organic
materials broke down. When they were taken to the NHHC Underwater
Archaeology Branch Conservation Laboratory, they were placed in a stable
environment to prevent further deterioration until conservation could take
place.
One of the items, a tear-drop oil shaped globe lantern, similar to those
used throughout the vessel for lighting and common to the Civil War period,
was one of the most pristine and undamaged artifacts restored.
After removal of the chlorides that were present from being submerged, the
object was mechanically cleaned. Conservators used sharpened wooden picks
and small metal scalpels and various chemicals, such as formic acid, to
remove green corrosion. Other chemical treatments were used to inhibit
further corrosion and coat the exterior of the lantern beginning the process
of protecting it from adverse environmental conditions.
The final result is a stabilized artifact that is now available for study
and museum display. It is a tangible link to the crew that served aboard
Tulip during the Civil War.
Pirate Diver
