Underwater Archaeology in the News
Searching for Columbus’ Last Ships: UTC Team Leads Survey for Undiscovered Shipwrecks
Searching for Columbus’ Last Ships: UTC Team Leads Survey for Undiscovered Shipwrecks
Taking underwater archaeology from the classroom to the Caribbean. Discover how our UTC team is partnering with the Maritime Legacy Project and Jamaican heritage organizations to map undiscovered shipwrecks and explore the rich maritime cultural landscapes of the West Indies.
Working on the Water
Searching for Columbus’ Last Ships: UTC Team Leads Survey for Undiscovered Shipwrecks
Beneath the surface of the Tennessee River lie the remains of at least six abandoned shipwrecks right here in Chattanooga. Recently featured in CityScope Magazine, our ongoing research is investigating local lore—including the true identity of a vessel long rumored to be the Civil War steamer USS Chattanooga, which our surveys suggest may actually be the 1921 Chattanooga Packet.
UTC Lecturer sending students on a deep dive into Tennessee's underwater history
Underwater Archaeology doesn't just happen in the ocean. We recently launched a new field program at UTC, bringing students directly to the Tennessee River to collect data on potential shipwrecks and submerged historical sites lying just off Ross's Landing.
Hunting HMS Tyger (1742), Identifying the Ship-of-the-Line in Dry Tortugas National Park
Hunting HMS Tyger (1742), Identifying the Ship-of-the-Line in Dry Tortugas National Park
In 2021, our research enabled us to conduct a more thorough survey of a potential shipwreck tentatively identified as HMS Tyger, lost in 1742. Our survey revealed five cannons on the seafloor pointing toward the wreckage.
Discovering a 19th-Century sunken Yellow Fever Hospital and Graveyard
Hunting HMS Tyger (1742), Identifying the Ship-of-the-Line in Dry Tortugas National Park
Discovering a 19th-Century sunken Yellow Fever Hospital and Graveyard
In 2022, our team of underwater archaeologists discovered an 1860s yellow fever graveyard that sank below the waves in 1935 after a hurricane submerged the island. Research continues on this front to identify the dozens of people, mostly U.S. soldiers stationed at Fort Jefferson, who may have been buried there.
Steamship Wreckage located in the Tennessee River
Hunting HMS Tyger (1742), Identifying the Ship-of-the-Line in Dry Tortugas National Park
Discovering a 19th-Century sunken Yellow Fever Hospital and Graveyard
Our team is investigating a shipwreck in the Chattanooga River in Tennessee, which may be the USS Chattanooga that played a vital role in the Confederate defeat at Chattanooga in 1863 during the Civil War
The Search for the Pirate Slave Ship Guerrero in Biscayne National Park
The Search for the Pirate Slave Ship Guerrero in Biscayne National Park
The Search for the Pirate Slave Ship Guerrero in Biscayne National Park
Chased by HBM Nimble in 1827, Spanish Pirates laden with more than 500 enslaved Africans drove their brig onto the reef in the Florida Keys. Today, we continue working with a talented team of dedicated archaeologists and historians to bring the story to the surface.
The Maritime Legacy Project
The Search for Columbus' Last Caravels and Nelson's HMS Hinchinbrooke
The history of St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, is rich, diverse, and fascinating. From a maritime historian's perspective, two of history's most notable admirals had ships attached to their legacy sunk in the bay. Our goal for the Maritime Legacy Project: Jamaica is to protect the bay and increase tourism in St. Ann's Parish by sharing the stories of the sea with Seville Heritage Park. Ultimately, we wish to see St. Ann's Bay and Seville Heritage Park become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Follow the Project Blog
Check out the Maritime Legacy Project: Jamaica's recent expeditions and research through the Field Log.
Screenplays
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Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
The idea for AJV Archaeology came about when a group of friends realized they shared a passion for discussing the latest trends and ideas in their field. They decided to start a podcast to share their insights and knowledge with the world.
ArcGIS Storymaps
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