Some Insights Into Florida Shipwrecks
Saturday, June 18, 2011
By Marie Boyle
There is a long history of Florida shipwrecks. Some trade vessels became the victims of hurricanes and other forces of nature. Others are historical remnants from Spanish explorers seeking gold and other treasures. The heavy German U-boat attacks during World War II also left underwater wreckage.
In these seas of the southeastern United States, many tankers, yachts and warships have been lost. With 1,200 miles of coastline, the Sunshine State has become the resting place for about 5,000 sunken ships. The Keys is an archipelago of 4,500 islands, stretching 200 miles south-southeast of the state. The waters of these islands contain the remnants of about 1,000 vessels that have crashed or been destroyed. Many island names reflect this high rate of wreckage in the area. The H. M. S. Fowey, a British warship, crashed in 1748 near an island known today as Fowey Rocks. In 1822, a U. S. Schooner, the U. S. S. Alligator, was lost in the waters of Alligator Reef.
The United Nations estimates there are more than three million vessels littering the ocean floor. Experts say they are valuable because they can preserve historical information. Maritime archaeologists can study the remnants to gain insights into ancient cultural elements, including seafaring, treasure hunting and military campaigns.
The preservation of sunken vessels is determined by several factors. Water salinity, depth, temperature, acidity, tides, exposure and presence of sealife are among the major components affecting deterioration. Whether vessels have been buried by sand, and materials used during the construction phase are among the other factors.
When wooden elements are exposed, decay occurs more quickly. After a period of 100 years, the only remaining remnants of sunken wooden vessels are those that became buried in sand soon after sinking. One example is the Mary Rose, which sank in 1545 off the Isle of Wight. One of King Henry VIII's warships, it was discovered in 1971. Salvage operations in 1982 led to the discovery of many important Tudor artifacts.
In general, vessels decay more quickly in seawater. The salinity causes the corrosion of iron-based materials. Exposed wooden elements are quickly attacked by shipworms and other wood-boring sea creatures. They can completely destroy the entire hulls of sunken sea-craft.
Vessels on the seabed are vulnerable to disintegration from tidal and weather-driven wave actions. Vessels that sink in deeper waters are a bit more protected from these destructive wave actions.
Florida shipwrecks are fascinating to explore. In addition to their historical value, many have become home to a diversity of sealife. Read more about: florida shipwrecks
In these seas of the southeastern United States, many tankers, yachts and warships have been lost. With 1,200 miles of coastline, the Sunshine State has become the resting place for about 5,000 sunken ships. The Keys is an archipelago of 4,500 islands, stretching 200 miles south-southeast of the state. The waters of these islands contain the remnants of about 1,000 vessels that have crashed or been destroyed. Many island names reflect this high rate of wreckage in the area. The H. M. S. Fowey, a British warship, crashed in 1748 near an island known today as Fowey Rocks. In 1822, a U. S. Schooner, the U. S. S. Alligator, was lost in the waters of Alligator Reef.
The United Nations estimates there are more than three million vessels littering the ocean floor. Experts say they are valuable because they can preserve historical information. Maritime archaeologists can study the remnants to gain insights into ancient cultural elements, including seafaring, treasure hunting and military campaigns.
The preservation of sunken vessels is determined by several factors. Water salinity, depth, temperature, acidity, tides, exposure and presence of sealife are among the major components affecting deterioration. Whether vessels have been buried by sand, and materials used during the construction phase are among the other factors.
When wooden elements are exposed, decay occurs more quickly. After a period of 100 years, the only remaining remnants of sunken wooden vessels are those that became buried in sand soon after sinking. One example is the Mary Rose, which sank in 1545 off the Isle of Wight. One of King Henry VIII's warships, it was discovered in 1971. Salvage operations in 1982 led to the discovery of many important Tudor artifacts.
In general, vessels decay more quickly in seawater. The salinity causes the corrosion of iron-based materials. Exposed wooden elements are quickly attacked by shipworms and other wood-boring sea creatures. They can completely destroy the entire hulls of sunken sea-craft.
Vessels on the seabed are vulnerable to disintegration from tidal and weather-driven wave actions. Vessels that sink in deeper waters are a bit more protected from these destructive wave actions.
Florida shipwrecks are fascinating to explore. In addition to their historical value, many have become home to a diversity of sealife. Read more about: florida shipwrecks
Posted byBertie at 3:47 AM
0 comments:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)