    [From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                              Preliminary Report:
                                   Archeological and Engineering Expedition
                                           Monitor Marine Sanctuary

                                               August 1-26, 1979

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                                                      By

                                               Gordon P. Watts, Jr.
                                               Roger W. Cook
                                               Kenneth Morris

                                                  Edited by

                                               Floyd Childress
                                               Sarah Goodnight

             E595         U.S. Department of Commerce
               M7         National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
             W379        Office of Coastal Zone Management
              1979

                                                Preliminary Report:
                                      Archeological and Engineering Expedition
                                              Monitor Marine Sanctuary

                                                  August 1-26, 1979

                                                                               COASTAL ZONE
    												   INFORMATION CENTER

                                 This report represents the final Cruise Report     for
                           the 1979 underwater archeological and engineering expreditions
                           at the Monitor Marine Sanctuary. The report is published by
                           the National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrAtion to provided
                           information to archeologist, historian, researchers, and others
                           interested in  the management and protection of the U.S.S MONITOR.
                           We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the following:

                 Gordon  P. Watts,  Jr.   Head Underwater Archeologist, North    Carolina
                                          Division of Archives and History.

                 Roger W. Cook            Director of Operations. Harbor Branch Foundation,
                                          Inc.

                 Kenneth Morris           State Conservator, New   York Division  of Historic
                                          Preservation, Peebles Island Collection Care Center.

                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                             Page
                 Acknowledgments  -------------------------------------   ---------------

                 List of Illustrations  ------- ---------------------- ------------------ -

                 Introduction   -------------------------------------------------------

                 Archeological report   -----------------------------------------------      2
                 At-sea operations   --------------------------------------------------      18
                 Conservation   -------------------------------------------------------      23
                 Summary ------------------------------------------------ 0 ---------------  26

                .Appendices  ---------------------------------------------------------
                             Inventory of artifacts   -------I-------------- -------  ----   28
                            Memorandum to Gordon Watts   from Kenneth Morris   ----------    32

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                                               LIST@`OFJLLUSTRATMN@S

                                                                                              Page

                Figure 1  ... Datum casting locations    ----------------------------------    4

                Figure 2  ... Test excavation location    --------------------------------     .6
                Figure 3  ... Test excavation activity    --------------------------------     7

                Figure 4      Photomosaic of material exposed after excavation of
                              first six inches    ----------------------------------------     8

                Figure 5      Artist's rendering illustrating the test ecavation in
                              progress   ------------------------------------------------      10

                Figure 6      Recovered artifact - "Hartwell s Glass Jar Patented
                              (1858)11  -------------------------------------------------      11

                Figure 7      Photograph of turret's gun ports     ------------------------    14

               ..Figure 8 ... View of decompression chamber     ---------------------------    16

                                                 INTRODUCTION

                    During 1978 a series  of historical, engineering, and oceanographic
               research contracts were'initiated by the North Carolina Division of

               Archives and History to identify and collect information related to  the

               U.S.S. Monitor.. In addition to evaluating the present knowledge of  the site,

               the studies were designed.to identify additional materialthat would be essential

                in the adoption of a management plan that outlines research and management

               goals and objectives for the Monitor Marine Sanctuary. Based on these

               studies and research needs developed in the course of preparing the

               management plan, a second and more ambitious investigation of the Monitor

               was planned for the summe r of 1979.

                    With firm commitment from Harbor Branch Foundation for support

               vessels, planning for the research project began in earnest in the early

               months of 1979. While the participation of the National Oceanic and

               Atmospheric Administration precluded the necessity for a research permit,

               the operation manual was circulated for review, comment, and approval

               through the same channels established for proposals.

                    From August I to August 26, 1979 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

               Administration in cooperation with the Harbor Branch Foundatibn and the State

               of North Carolina undertook an extensive investigation of the Marine Sanctuary.

               Archeological objectives included establishing four permanent datum points

               on the north side of the wreck, designing and conducting a test excavation

               in the forward portion of the confines of the wreck within the hull,,and a

               general examination and assessment of the site by means of diver observations

                  and hand held photography.   Historical and engineering objectives included

                  additional photographic and video documentation under and inside the

                  wreck, an analysis of the attitude of the ship, and the recovery of wood

                  samples to provide insight into the condition of the vessel. Details of

                  the proposed work were spelled out in an extensive operations manual

                  prepared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with

                  assistance from the Harbor Branch Foundation, Inc. and the North Carolina

                  Division of Archives and History.

                       Data generated by the research project afforded valuable insight

                  into the archeological and engineering problems presented by this and

                  other deep water archeological sites and significantly broadened the

                  knowledge upon which managment decisions will be made in the future.

                                           ARCHEOLOGICAL REPORT

                                                     By
                                               Gordon Watts

                       In preparati on for the on-site research at the Monitor Marine  Sanctuary,

                  archaeologists Gordon Watts and Richard Lawrence from the Underwater

                  Archaeology Branch of the North Carolina Division of Archives and History

                  and John Broadwater from the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission

                  underwent an extensive series of physical examinations at the Duke

                  University Hyperb aric Medical Center and completed a ten-day training and

                  equipment familiarization program carried out off West End, Grand Bahama

                  Island, and at the Harbor Branch facilities in Linkport, Florida. The

                  training proved to be of benefit as it provided the first insight into the

                                                         2

                nature and.limitations of the delivery and support systems that were to be

                used in the operations. In addition, training in the submersible provided

                the archaeolo gists with enough experience with the delivery and life

                support systems to permit them to concentrate on accomplishing the project

                objectives.

                     The project began on August 1, 1979, with a non- lockout reconnaissance

                dive to examine the site. In the afternoon the first lockout was made to

                locate a positioning harness for the baseline datum stations and jet the

                first casing into the sediment adjacent to the amidships bulkhead. An

                electrically powered water pump mounted on the bow of the submersible

                provided water pressure sufficient to, jet the first casing into a position

                identified by the harness.   A leveling collar attached.to the 3 inch

                casing provided the control necessary to assure a vertical orientation.

                While the first and second datum casings were easily jetted into the

                sediment to a depth of 5 feet, the remai ning two located forward of the

                amidships bulkhead proved to be more difficult. At a depth of 3 feet an

                extremely compact stratum of sediment frustrated efforts to sink casings

                to the desired 5-foot depth. During'the,course of the project both of

                the forward casings were dislodged by the current. While it is possible

                that the stratum represents a natural formation, the discharge of calcareous

                material and black oxide from the casing indicated that the layer may   be

                related to material associated with the Monitor (Figure I).

                Following placement of the baseline casings, a reconnaissance of  the

                forward portions of the wreck was carried out to determine the most

                app ropriate location for the test excavation. A location on  the port bow

                                                      3

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                                                                                    OAT UA .CAsi-4- AbCATIONS

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                         Figure I.
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                inboard of the armor belt had been tentatively selected based upon an

                analysis of photographs taken from the ALCOA SEAPROBE in 1974 and the

                JOHNSON SEAL-LINK II in 1977. The reconnaissance confirmed the first

                choice as the best locations for an excavation (Figure 2). With the

                exception of a small area adjacent to the armor belt in the vicinity of

                the pilot hou se, most of the wreck is covered by large fragments of

                plating from the lower hull.

                After the site for the test excavation was established, an aluminium grid

                frame constrtucted by personnel from North Carolina State University was

                set up to control the work, (Figure 3). Once positioned and leveled, the

                frame provided a horizontal plane for measurement and photography during

                the excavation.  Although the frame was designed for stereo photogrammetry,

                camera problems precluded stereo mapping; therefore traditional X-Y_Z

                coordinate mapping was utilized. Photography was employed to enhance

                mapping detail.

                Initially the test excavation was carried out in a 5-foot square within

                the control frame (Figure 4). Because of the presence of structural

                material, it was necessary to reduce the scope of the excavation to a 2-

                by 5-foot rectangle in the southern end of the origin al excavation. In

                spite of additional structural material, it was possible to carry the

                excavation to deck timber and planking* Removal of the sediment was

                accomplished with the assistance of a hydrau lic induction dredge powered

                by an electric pump mounted on the submersible. Discharge from the 3-

                inch dredge was routed over the armor belt to assist in keeping the

                water in the excavation area as free of sediment as possible (Figure 5).

                                                      5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     40
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                                                                                                                                                                                                         TEST EXCAVATION LOCATION

                                                     Figure 2.

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                         Figure 3. Test excavation activity was documented by a
                         closed circuit television camera mounted on the grid
                         frame at the beginning of each lockout.

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                     Figure 4. Photomosaic documentation of material exposed after
                     excavation of the first 6 inches of sediment.

                Analysis of the strata exposed during the test excavation revealed that

                the upper layer of the sediment was composed of sand and coarse shell

                hash. Modern debris found at the lowest level of this stratum confirmed

                that there has been considerable activity in the upper layer of sediment.

                At a depth of approximately 14 inches a transitional zone was identified.

                It consisted of larger shell and barnacle remains interspersed in sandy

                mud. With the exception of calcareous encrustations that had formed

                around the deteriorating remains of the vessel, no material associated

                with the ship was found in this stratum. Below this the sediment was

                composed of a very fine mud and silt that had come out bf suspension in

                the water column. This stratum covered the structural remains of the

                deck and contained extensive fragments of non-structural wood bulkheads,

                cabinetry, and storage containers. All of the artifacts recovered during

                the project associated with the MONITOR,,with the exception of a glass

                "U.S.S. NAVY/MUSTARD" bottle foundon the surface of the grid area, were

                found in this layer. Immediately above the deck beams and planks, frag-

                ments of foul weather apparel, book binding, a ceramic soap dish, English

                walnuts, and a brass thimble were recovered. Although teredo damage to
                the wood was found to be extensive,.the surfaces of.deck beams and planks

                were crisp and undamaged, preserving-all of the surface detail (Figure

                6).

                As the test excavation neared completion, attention was directed to the

                examination and documentation of the remainder of the vessel in a attempt

                to collect data that would answer historical, engineering, and conservation

                questions. Exploration and photographs began in that portion of the ship

                forward of the amidships bulkhead and proceeded.aft into the galley and

                   Figure 5. Artist's rendering illustrating the test excavation in progress.

                                                      10

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                            Figure 6. "Hartwell's Glass Jar Patented 1858, Guaranteed
                            Air-Tight" was found to contain exceptionally well preserved
                            relish that still retained its aroma.
                                                                                102

                engineering space where the lower hull structure had not collapsed.

                In addition to assessing damage to the structure of the vessel, the

                investigation generated information that provided insight into a broad

                spectrum of historical, architectural, engineering, and construction

                details. Observations were noted by the investigators and both 35mand

                low light level television cameras were used to document the wreck.

                Along with inspecting the interior of the hull, examination included

                inspecting the bottomdeck under the wreck and the condition of the

                turret.

                While assessment of the data collected during the project is continuing

                some conclusions have been made. Perhaps the.most import  ant concern is

                the wreck as an archaeological site. While the test excavation revealed

                the high energy nature of the upper stratum of bottom sediment, it also

                revealed that the zone containing material and artifacts contemporary

                with the vessel is preserved undisturbed. Material recovered from this

                layer indicates that the preservation of material at the site is quite good.

                The survival of extensive amounts of organic material confirms this     In

                spite of the possibility that the shipwreck was depth charged, the archaeological

                record is excellent and continued systematic scientific investigation of the site

                will produce a wealth of knowledge about both the MONITOR and its crew.

                While the preservation of material from a salt water environment  is always

                complex, the MONITOR site presents no insurmountable problems short of preservation

                of the vessel structure itself. Although extensive additional information will

                certainly be required., it is obvious that preservat ion and restoration

                of the entire ship for display is unrealistic.

                                                      12

                A detailed examination of the structure of the MONITOR indicated that

                both the iron and wood portions of the vessel have been extensively damaged
                during sinking, by possible depth charging, and by deterioration.  Although

                a substantial portion of the vessel still supports itself, it is extremely

                unlikely that there is sufficient strength to resist even the most mo dest

                additional stress. The deck,.thought to be intact except for damage at

                the stern, was.found to have collapsed and ruptured in three additional

                locations, spilling the contents of the vessel onto the bottom. The

                examination of the deck revealed that numerous plates have indeed separated

                from the supporting wood deck timber and beams. At ea6h location, exposed

                structural wood exhibited extensive teredo and pholed damage. The

                amidships bulkhead, the only structurallinterior bulkhead, was found to

                have collapsed entirely on the port side and deteriorated extensively on

                the starboard side. Investigations in the stern confirmed that the

                survival of portions of the lower hull aft of the amidships bulkhead was

                due to the pre senceof ship's.machinery and boilers. Establishing that

                the list to starboardis approximatley 20 degrees also confirmed that

                both the lower hull aft and deck/armor belt structures have suffered

                considerahle lateral and longitudinal distortion. The turret, because

                of its exceptionally heavy construction, exhibited dents probably

                associated with the engagement with the CSS VIRGINIA, in addition to

                teredo, pholad, and cellular damage to the wood flooring. Access to the

                interior of the structure was not possible and probing of the wood floor

                produced no indication of the condition of material inside (Figure 7).

                In examining the problem of conducting even limited archaeological

                investigations at depths requiring sophisticated breathing gasses and

                                                     13

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                        Figure 7. Gun ports were found to'be  closed by protective pendulums although
                        original wood coverings which were employed to make the opening water tight had
                        deteriorated completely.

                delivery systems, it is obvious that saturation mode operations represent

                a distinct advantage. Ev ery hour on the site required approximately four

                and one half hours of.decompression in the chamber aboard the support ship.

                This schedule automatically limited daily on-site operations to a maximum

                of 2 hours. While the lengthy decompression schedule provided an abundance

                of time for evaluating and assessing each dive, the schedule became

                taxing both mentally and physically for the divers after the first two weeks

                (Figure 8).

                Working in water temperature ranging from 18 to 26 degrees Celcius in

                conventional wetsuits made an endurance contest out of a number of the

                lockout dives. With compression significantly reducing thermal properties

                of the wetsuits and the heat loss associated with the helium oxygen

                breathing mixture archaeological priorities deteriorated rapidly toward

                the end of each lockout.' Working slowly and meticulously in the test

                excavation also seemed to accelerate the effects of the cold. Toward
                the end of the excavation it was' noted that lockout times could be extended

                by utilizing the last of each dive for exploration and photography of the

                wreck. Ex ertion associated with vigorous movement appeared to generate

                some reserve- body heat*

                Communications, always a problem at depth, were additionally complicated

                by the breathing mixture. In spite of the voice unscrambler, extensive

                communications proved impossible, eliminating the possibility of recording

                observations verbally. While some voices can be understood with regularity,

                others proved quite impossible and defied translation by the diver himself.

                While the submersible delivery and support system provided adequate

                                                      15

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                    Figure 8. Decompression schedules provided ample opportunity to record
                    and reflect on the activities of each lockout.

                                                      16

                support for the limited objectives of a test. excavation, extensive work

                at-that depth will require a different system. Additional power for

                tools would have to be available before extensive excavations could.be

                carried out with efficiency.

                In spite of the problems and limitations, the project provided

                archaeologists with an opportunity to bring state of the art technology

                to bear on the problems of managing and investigating deep water sites.

                In addition to generating a wealth of site specific information about the

                MONITOR, the work has served to illustrate the possibilities for advancing

                archaeological investigations into ocean depths.

                                                     17

                                              AT-SEA OPERATIONS

                                               By Roger W. Cook

                JOHNSON-SEA-LINK I (J-S-L-I) conducted a total of 49 dives from August I

                to August 26, 1979. Of these, 36 were lock-out dives. A lock-out dive.

                is defined as pressurizing the aft compartment of the submersible to,ambined

                sea pressure (utilizing either high pressure air or mixed gas) so that a

                diver may exit and perform work.

                     At 0800 on the morning of July 31, 1979, R/V JOHNSON, transporting

                J-S-L I,.departed Link Port in Fort Pierce, Florida. She arrived in the

                Monitor Marine Sanctuary at 2400 Tuesday, July 31. The total distance of

                560 nautical miles was covered in 40 hours, with an average speed of 14

                knots. Sea conditions during the transit were 2 - 4 feet.

                     The U.S.S. MONITOR was immediately located and the launching of

                J-S-L I foran observation and reconnaissance dive officially began the

                mission on Wednesday morning, August I.. The observer in the pilot's

                sphere was North Carolina underwater archaeologist, Gordon Watts. During.this

                first dive,, we confirmed that the MONITOR looked basically the same as during

                our 1977 mission. It was clear of any debris or nets and the planned

                test excavation site appeared to be in a good location. On the following

                four dives a baseline was placed along the entire length of the vessel on

                the north side and four permanent datum control points were jetted into

                the ocean bottom. The baseline consisted of a 1/8" stainless steel cable

                that was drawn tight and.anchored to the bottom at each end of the wreck.

                                                      18

                Markers on the cable allowed the accurate placement and positioning

                and placement of the four datum points- The datum points were 3 inch

                pipes measuring 10 feet in length. They were jetted into the bottom

                at (50 feet) intervals with a submersible-mounted electric pump. The

                pump supplied water pressure though a hose to a lock-out diver who

                guided the datum points into the bottom, using a leveling device to keep

                them vertical. The two datum points to the east were quickly and easily

                jetted down.. The two to the west hit hard bottom about 3 feet down and

                stopped. The datum points   were established to assist in accurately

                locating, for reference purposes, the work and observations made on    the

                site.

                     The remaining lock-out dives were mainly for excavation purposes.

                By us.ing the electric pump on the submersible, with approximately 50 feet of

                induction hose, the lock-out diver was able to lift light sand and debris

                from the test excavation area. The excavation continued each d    ay with a

                lock-out dive in the morning and afternoon,. An observation dive was

                usually scheduled mid-day between the two lock-out dives. With a decom-

                pression period of 24 hours between dives (end of decompression to start

                of pressurization), it was mandatory to   have three two-man teams working

                in rotation to complete two lock-out dives each day. For each lock-out

                dive, consisting of sixty minutes bottom time at a working depth of 230

                feet, 4.3 hours of decompression were required.

                       The current was usually from the southwest at about one knot;,

                therefore, the R/V JOHNSON would la.unch J-S-L I slightly north of the

                                                       19

                 wreck, and the sub would touch down on the bottom about 150 to 200 yards

                 north of the MONITOR. A 'beaco'n mounted on the subm ersible and another

                 previously set at the wreck would visually display on a television

                 screen position of both the MONITOR and submersible on the bridge of R/V

                 JOHNSON. J-S-L I would approach the wreck using sonar until visual contact.

                 was made. The submersible was always positioned so the pilot and decompression

                 controller in the pilot's sphere could see the diver in the water. The

                 diver also took a low light T-V. camera from its mounting in front of

                 the submersible and attached it to a tripod at the work site. The camera

                 then looked directly onto the excavation area and allowed the pilot and

                 decompression controller to observe and videotape the excavation process.

                        An umbilical, connecting the diver to the submersible, consisted

                 of a hose for the breathing gases and a cable for communications. Only

                 one diver would exit J-S-L 1, while the other remained inside to monitor

                 systems and act as a stand-by diver. By situating the submersible

                 amidships of the wreck, the lock-out diver had enough umbilical to     swim

                 along the entire wreck.

                       Approximately 1000*cubic feet of gas was consumed during each lock-

                 out dive. The breathing gas was 12% oxygen and 88% helium., Approximately

                 15,000 cubic feet of gas was carried onboard R/V JOHNSON. Because of

                 this limitation, it was necessary to leave the Monitor Sanctuary once a

                 week of resupply with heluim and oxygen in Morehead City, North Carolina,

                 where additional reserves were kept.

                                                        20

                       The weather conditions at the site were much better than we had

                aniticipatede Duri  ng the'entire month, only two days were lost because

                the seas were too rough to safely launch an d recover J-S-L I. Visibility
                ranged from zero to 150 feet with the average about 20 to 30 feet. 'During

                one particular dive,.J-S-L I settled into complete darkness. At 220

                feet, it was absolutely black with a current on the bottom of .1 knot

                from the southwest. The dives on the previous day, however, were of

                average visibility. We terminated operations that day and proceeded to

                Morehead City to replenish our gas supplies. When we returned two days later,

                the visibility was 100 feet and the following day, 150,feet. It was

                evident that during our absence, a very strong current had swept through

                the area (in excess of 1.5 knots). Our camera tripod'was lying on its

                side, the two datum points to the west were uprooted and lying free to

                the north,. and there was a large scour mark on the bottom where the

                current had raced around the bow. These same conditions appeared once

                during our 1977 mission. At that time, the pilot had reported a current

                on the bottom of 1.5 knots with zero visibility.   Bottom temperatures at

                the site ranged from 18*C to 26*C with an average  of 190 - 210C. It is

                apparent that environmental conditions can change  rapidly at the site.

                       A lock-out submersible proved to be a very  effective tool for this

                type of work. A high degree of mobility was required to cover the entire

                wreck and this was easily achieved. The submersible was used to deploy

                divers as well as videotape the divers' work and the wreck and obtain

                35mm still photography of specific areas.

                                                       21

                                                CONSERVATION

                                                     By
                                                Kenneth Morris

                        Both during and following the August 1979 expedition, the State of

                 North Carolina moved to insure proper care was given the 108 artifacts re-

                 covered from the U.S.S. MONITOR. The services of the Division for Historic

                 Preservation, New York State Office of Parks and Recreation were requested

                 by North Carolina* Mr. Morris, a conservator for the New York Division

                 for Historic Preservation, was responsible for examining the artifacts and

                 recommending the best stabilization treatment for each.- All artifacts were

                 tagged, photographed and examined before being packed in stabilizing medium.

                 All this conservation field work was accomplished at the temporary laboratory

                 established in Hatteras, North Carolina. At the conclusion of the field

                 project the artifacts were transferred to Ft. Fisher, North Carolina, head-

                 quarters for the North Carolina Underwater Archeology Branch. An inventory

                 of the artifacts can be found in Appendix 1.

                       Mr. Morris continues to supervise the preservation both in Ft. Fisher

                 and in the New York State Division for Historic Preservation's conservation

                 laboratory at Peebles Islands, Waterford, New York. The transfer of artifacts

                 to New York was deemed appropriate because the treatment capabilities-available

                 at Peebles Island (necessary for the conservation procedures) were not yet

                 available at the Ft. Fisher facility. Additionally, New York was able to

                 provide the constant supervision that certain unique artifacts required due

                 to a more rigorous treatment which is described in the memorandum from

                 Kenneth Morris to Gordon Watts, found in Appendix 2.

                                                       22

                       The artifacts have been classified into three broad categories:

                organic, iron and non-ferrous inorganic artifacts. Those artifacts

                located in Ft. Fisher are monitored regularly and are either undergoing

                very slow, easy to control processes or are simply being held stable
                awaiting further treatment. The present disposition of the unstabilized

                artifacts is as follows:

                       (1) Glass artifacts are stored in salt water. Gradually the salt

                            water is being exchanged for water with a lower chloride content;

                       (2)  Large iron artifacts are  undergoing electrolytic reduction to

                            remove the chlorides from the metal;

                       (3)  Concretions, small iron pieces, and other metals (including

                            copper alloys) are being immersed in distilled   water which is

                            heated to 90*F. This water is also changed at set intervals

                            so that the chloride content will be reduced;

                       (4)  Wood and the remainder of artifacts are being kept wet. The water

                            in the "wood tank" is changed frequently to retard the growth

                            of mold or fungus; and
                     Cer amic artifacts were' put through a desalination process similar

                that of the glass artifacts, and treatment has been completed for the

                ceramics artifacts*

                      The conservation procedures at Ft.  Fisher are on or ahead  of schedule

                and the estimated completion date for the  majority of the artifacts is June

                1980. The artifacts sent to Peebles Island, Yew York have completed their

                conservation treatments,.except one wood panelling fragment, catalogue .063.

                                                    23

                       On May 21, 1980 an exhibit on the U.S.S. MONITOR opened at the U.S.

                Naval Memorial Museum to celebrate the primier of NOAA's film, "Down to the

                MONITOR". All the artifacts from Peebles Island,  except the one wood fragment

                were sent to the Naval Museum in.May and the following artifacts were sent to

                the Naval Museum from Ft. Fisher: two pieces from a brass lamp base,

                two pieces of a porcelain soap dish, and a fragment of a large ironstone

                plate. These  artifa cts are on loan to the Naval Museum for exhibition

                and curation.

                                                 24

                                                  SUMMARY

                       On August 26, 1979, the project was concluded, and all objectives

                were completed.

                       On September 27, 1979 a meeting was held in Raleigh, North Carolina

                to review the expedition and discuss the accomplishments. Present at the

                meeting were Mr. Roger Cook, Dr. Larry E. Tise, Mr..Brent Glass, Mr.

                Gordon Watts, Mr. Richard Lawrence and Ms. Dina Hill, Mr. Kenneth Morris,
                CAPT Ernest Peterkin, (Pet'.), and LT Ted Lillestolen, NOAA Corps.

                       At the conclusion of that meeting a statement was prepared which

                included.tentative conclusions,. findings and recommendations from the

                August 1979 Expedition, They are as  follows:

                I. Conclusions:

                       1-. All the primary objectives of the expedition were accomplished
                           within the 28-day period of the expedition.

                       2.  A variety of artifacts and samples were recovered from the
                           site and from the excavation that was conducted. These objects
                           will be used to test the effectiveness of appropriate conservation
                           techniques.  The conclusions reached will be used as treatment
                           guidelines for the spectrum of similar materials that will be
                           found throughout the site in the course of any further excavation.

                       3.  The broad range of data, photographs, and videotapes that was
                           collected and recorded is currently available for in-depth
                           analysis of the wreck site.

                II. Findings:

                       I.  The Monitor is extensively disturbed by natural and hon-natural
                           causes. For example, the exposed areas of the ship's bottom
                           plating and inner support framing are severely deteriorated
                           and parts of the wreck.itself are scattered over a broad area.

                                                     25

                       2.  The portions of the wreck covered by sediment are in better
                           shape than exposed portions.

                       3.  The hulk is exposed to changing tenperatures and strong, variable
                           currents that alternately cover and expose parts of the wreck.

                       4.  Excavation is conplicated by the considerable disarray of the
                           wreck's structural members.

                       5.  The remains of the U.S.S MONITOR cannot be raised intact by
                           traditional salvage methods.

                       6.  Pacovery of artifacts nust be well planned due to the variety
                           of materials present, their varied state of preservation, and
                           the cost of conservation.

                       7.  In terms of the five phases of the Monitor Marine Sanctuary
                           Management Plan, the selection of the most appropriate option for
                           the ultimate disposition of the site cannot be made at this time.

                III RecomTendations:

                       1.  That an engineering study and evaluation of the site be prepared
                           from the available photographs, video tapes, and divers' reports
                           indicating what portions of the ship are present or absent,
                           relatively intact or scattered, and within the wreck or scattered
                           over a broad area;

                       2.  Based on the recorded data and the artifacts recovered, that
                           conservation methodologies, techniques, and anticipated costs be
                           prepared for conserving various portions of the wreck;

                       3.  That additional archeological excavations be conducted in those
                           areas of the wreck designated in'the Monitor Marine Sanctuary
                           Management Plan; and

                       4.  That alternative delivery and support system be explored for
                           placing archeologists, engineers, and other professionals on the
                           site to conduct extended investigations.

                                                      26

                                                                   A - p-p e' n d 'i x`
                                                                   Artifact Inventory

                Glass, Ceramics

                001           Intact wine bottle,-dark green, no markings. 11" high.
                002           Intact bottle, light green; "MUSTARD" and "US NAVY"
                              on opposite sides. 6" high.
                007           Bottle, light green; broken; "PEPPER" and "US NAVY"
                              on opposite sides. 6" high.
                039           Cathedral pickle bottle, light green; top broken; no
                              markings. 9 1/2" high, 3" wide at the front, 2" wide
                             .at the sides.
                041           Base fragment of square bottle, dark brown; possibly
                              Plantation Bitters; molded design on sides; no markings.
                             .311 square.
                .044          Two pieces of possibly three-piece soap dish, porcelain,
                              white; no markings. One piece has holes for straining
                              water; second piece, which fits under the'first, is solid.
                              Strainer 3 3/4" X 4 13/16"; base 3 3/16" X 4 5/8".
                *079          Intact bottle, light green; "MUSTARD" and."US NAVY"
                              on opposite sides; cork in place. 6" high.
                103           Intact bottle, light green; "MUSTARD" and "US NAVY"
                              on opposite sides.  6" high.
                104           Intact bottle, light green; "MUSTARD" and "US NAVY"
                              on opposite sides. 6" high.
                105           Intact bottle, light green; "MUSTARD" and "US NAVY"
                              on opposite sides. 6" high.
                106           Storage jar with seal and lid, light green; no markings
                              on jar; "PATENTED OCT. 19, 1858" on top of.lid;
                              UHARTELLIS GLASS AIR-TIGHT COVER" around sides of lid;
                              top of lid decorated with 17 raised pointed beads of glass,
                              broken.. Jar 8 1/4" high, 4" in diameter at the base; lid 1"
                              high, 3 1/2" in diameter.
                107           Fragment of large plate, ironstone, white; no markings,
                108           Base of square bottle, light green; no markings.
                              2 1/2" square.

                   Removed to Collections Care Center, Peebles Island,
                   New York.

                                                        27

                  Metal, Non-ferrous

                   Oil         Brass ring, possibly grommet. 1 3/411 in diameter.
                  *043         Brass lamp base; constructed of three pieces; lead     balls and
                               leather seal in bottom section; decorative motif around first
                               section. Overall height 4", 5" in diameter at base.

                      Bottom section removed to Collections Care Center, Peebles
                      Isl and, New York.

                  Metal , Ferrous

                   004         Four unidentified concretions
                   038         Unidentified  concretion
                   077         Unidentified  concretion
                   078         Unidentified  concretion
                   086         Unidentified  concretion
                   089         Unidentified  concretion
                   093         Unidentified  concretion
                   098         Unidentified  concretion
                   099         Unidentified  concretion
                   101         Unidentified  concretion
                   102         Unidentified  concretion

                  Mi scel 1 aneous

                   003         Piece of decorative plastic, modern.
                   010         English walnut, infact; walnut fragments.
                  *014         Leather, portion of book binding.
                   042         Lens from Edgerton camera
                  *048         Rubber hose, 30 1/2"
                  *097         Piece of rubberized fabric
                   101         Round metal cap with perforations.

                                                           28

                     Wood

                     005          Wood fragment with brass hinge attached.  Hinge 3 1/2" X
                                  2 1/2"; 1 wood screw, 1 1/4" long.
                     006          Rectangular wooden block, 3 1/2" X 3/4" X 2/4" X1/3"
                     040          Concreted wood fragment, 11 1/4" long.
                     *049         Wood fragment
                     *050         Wood fragment
                     051          Wood fragment, 14" long
                     052          Wooden louver, 11" X 1 3/4" X 1/4"
                     053          Wood fragment, 3 1/4" long.
                     054          Wood fragment, 7" long
                     055          Round wooden object, possibly bung, 1 1/2" in diameter.
                     056          Rectangular wooden block, 3" X 1 1/2" X 1/4"
                     057          Wood fragment, 2" long.
                     058          Wood fragment, 1 1/2" long.
                     059          Wood fragment, 4" long.
                     *060         Piece of tongue and groove panelling, joins with 062,
                                  063, and 064.
                     *061         Piece of tongue and groove panelling, does not join with
                                  other four pieces.
                     *062         Piece of tongue and groove panelling.
                     *063         Piece of tongue and groove panelling.
                     *064         Piece of tongue and groove panelling.
                     065          Wood  fragment,     3 3/4" long.
                     066          Wood  fragment,     5 1/2" long.
                     067          Wood  fragment,     5 1/2" long.
                     068          Wood  fragment,     4 1/2" long.
                     069          Wood  fragment,     8 1/2" long.
                     070          Wood  fragment,     8" long
                     *071         Wood  fragment
                     072          Wood  fragment,     4 3/4" long.
                     073          Wood  fragment,     5 1/2" long.
                     074          Wood  fragment,     6" long.
                     075          Wood  fragment,     2 1/2" long.
                     076          Wood  fragment,     6" long.
                     080          Wood  fragment,     5 3/4"    long.
                     081          Wood  fragment,     4 1/2"    long.
                     082          Wood  fragment,.    3 1/2"    long.
                     083          Wood  fragment,     3 1/2"    long.
                     084          Wood  fragment,     4 1/4"    long.
                     085          Wood  fragment,     3 1/2",   long.
                     087          Wood  fragment,     16" X 1"
                     088          Wood  fragment,     7 1/2" long.

                                                                   29

                Wood,   page 2

                 *090        Wood fragment
                 091         Wood fragment, 5"' long.
                 092         Wood fragment, 3" long.
                 094         Wood fragment, 1 1/2" X 1/2" X 3/4"
                 095         Wood fragment, 2 3/4" long.
                 096         Wood fragment, 3 3/4" long.

                   Removed to Collections Care Center, Peebles Island,
                   New York.

    									  Appendix 2

    				DIVISION FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION	 Pueblos Island Waterford, New York 12188
    					             HISTORIC SITES BUREAU 518-237-8043
    							COLLECTIONS CARE CENTER 518-237-8080

    								Orin Lchman, Commissioner

    								        MEMORANDUM

    										 October 23, 1979

    TO:	Gordon Watts
    FROM:	Kenneth Morris
    RE:	Treatment of Monitor Artifacts Now at Peebles Island

    	This memorandum is the final treatment proposal. It was ac-
    cepted in its present form from the draft memo of September 26, 1979.

    	In order to stabilize the artifacts from the field work you
    completed during August 1979, I propose the following:

    Pickle Relish

    	The two major factors in stabilizing this artifact are the ex-
    clusion of oxygen and light. In addition, and problems of microbe
    growth should be considered now and eliminated. The following pro-
    cedure is recommended:

    	1. Remove a small (e.g. 10-50 cc) sample of the relish
             and store it at low temperature in the absence of
             lights. I recommend a wide mouth bottle as the
             storage container. (This type of bottle is listed
    	   in the VWR Scientific Inc. Catalog '78 on page 196.
    	   Type 16180-003 or an appropriate size should do
    	   nicely.)

    	2. The remaining relish should be treated as follows:
    	   Remove the relish into a battery jar (Type 13740-
    	   350, see VWR Catalog '78, page 89, or an approp-
    	   riate size); using flexible plastic hose bubble
    	   nitrogen through the entire mass; add a biocide
     	   such as a 2% solution of phenol (see Lawson, E.,
    	   "In Between: The Care of Artifacts from the
    	   Seabed to the Conservation Laboratory and Some
    	   Reasons Why it is Necessary," Beneath the Waters
    	   of Time, 9th ICUA, San Antonio, Texas, p. 89-90)

    									31

    					-2-

    	   to the relish; and then cover the mass (2-3
    	   inches thick) with molten wax (such as multiwax
    	   W-445 by Witco Chemical). The wax will solidify
    	   and seal the relish inside the container. By
    	   doing this, air and bacteria will find it diffi-
    	   cult to foul the relish. Even though refrigera-
    	   tion will not be essential, this container
    	   should also be kept cool and in the dark. In-
    	   side a standard refrigerator would be a handy
    	   place to keep both relish samples cool and out
    	   of the light. However, other alternatives can
    	   be explored at your discretion.

    "Lantern Base"

    	This artifact is seemingly held together, at least in part, by
    corrosion. The Leather centerpiece is held to the lead shot by corro-
    sion and the shot itself is frozen in place by corrosion. Any tamper-
    ing with this delicate balance is undesirable. The following treatment
    is recommended:

    	   Soak the object in several changes of ethyl
    	   alcohol for four weeks. After this dehydra-
    	   tion step hot (ca 80 F) Peg 1500 (with a
    	   biocide added) should be applied to the
    	   leather until it appears saturated. The
    	   artifact should then be kept in a sealed
    	   container and the ambient relative humidity
    	   lowered gradually from 100% to match that
    	   of the Peebles Island Conservation
    	   Laboratory. At that point some consolidant
    	   might be added to the lead shot, and the
    	   copper should be treated to retard corro-
    	   sion with an alcoholic solution of
    	   Benxotriazole.

    Leather Book Binding

    	This artifact should be stabilized without being cleaned because
    the leather severely deteriorated. The procedure in this case
    should be as follows:

    	   Immerse the object in a 10% aqueous solu-
    	   tion of Peg 1500 for 6 weeks. Freeze, then
    	   freeze-dry the artifact. Immediately fol-
    	   lowing the drying process the object should
    	   have a 20% solution of Lanolin/Benzine
    	   brushed on its "front" side. The tear now
    	   visible in the leather should be closed and
    	   supported from the rear with a piece of
    	   thin paper (in a manner similar to mending
    	   a torn work of art on paper). Any cleaning
    	   or stain removal necessary should be done
    	   at this point.

    						32

                                                       -3-

                           'rhis artifact should be i;tored in a custoin designed case made
                    from Plexiglas (preferably UF-3 Lypc) . The cane will serve several
                    purposes. It will guard against unnecessary handling of the artifact;
                    it aill retard degradation from light; and it. can and should be de-
                    slqni@_,d to retard degr adation from aLmosDhcric contaminants.

                    :%'Mstard Bottle

                           The radiograph of thi 's artifact shows three internal areas.
                    First there is the area visible from the outside, at the mouth of the
                    bottle. This rcd-brown mass is app@rently an accretion rather than
                    original material. Farther into the bottle, two inches from the
                    mouth, is the cork. It seems to be in good condition but is swollen
                    so that removal will not Ibe a simple process. Behind the cork and contin-
                    uing to the bottom of the vessel is a homogenous mass that may be the
                    bottle's original contents. Although it is not possible to examine- the
                    third constituent without tzxcavation, the do-,ircations of sections in-'
                    dicates that it may be original and, therefore, worth preserving as an
                    artifact. 'The proposed treatment is as follows:

                           1. Excavate the first intern al section up  to the cork.
                              Save the contents as follows: freeze @t  'in tact for
                              further study. Freeze-dry the remainder.

                          2. Without removing the cork, excavate the third area.
                              Again save @t of the mdterial by freezing it and
                              freeze-dry the,remainder.

                          3.  Desalinate the glass. Using the procedure out-
                              lined for glass in my memo of September 24, 1979,
                              remove the salt contaminants from the glass.    (At
                              the discretion of theconservator the desalination
                              process may be carried out at a swifter pace.)

                          4.  Immerse the cork ina 5% aqueous solution of Peg
                              1500 for 1 week; 7.5% for 1 week; 10% for 1 week.
                              Then add 0.5% Ethulose, allow to soak for 1 week,
                              and then dry both the cork and bottle slowly,(in
                              a manner identical'to that  followed for the
                              Lantern 13ase).

                   Rubber Hose and Rubberized Fabric

                          In order to stabilize these  pieces  and keep them stable,  storagee*,
                   may be nearly as important as remedial treatment,    The remedial   treat-
                   ment of-these particular a rtifacts is still under investigation. How-
                   ever, impregnation with a silicone  or other oil and storage in custom
                   made glass vessels will doubtless be important parts of the treatment
                   procedure.. When the treatment is decided, a separate proposal will be
                   submitted. (I wish to rcte with great thanks the research efforts of
                   Ms. Victoria. Jensen, Conservator at Parks Canada's Conservation Lab in
                   Ottawa. Ms. Jensen has consented to test possible.treatments for these
                   two materials on rubber artifacts in her lab. For this cooperative
                   effort I @m very grateful.)

                                                      33,'

                    Hood

                           With the exception of piece 071, the %rood should be  stabilized
                    as follows:

                           1. Reduce iron staining with a wash of 2% HC1.

                           2. Wash out HC1 with fresh tap water.

                           3. Immerse the wood in a 5% aqueous solution of
                              Peg 400 for two weeks.

                           4. Raise 'the Peg 1% per week for 10 weeks. Allow
                              the artifacts to remain in the final solution
                              for two weeks.

                           5. Freeze then freeze-dry the artifacts.

                           6. Apply a brush coating of 5% shellac.in Ethyl
                              alcohol.

                           Piece 071, because of its very tight grain and natural density,
                   should be  stabilized as follows:

                           1. Dehydrate through several Ethyl alcohol baths.

                           2. Brush on hot (ca 800F) Peg 4000 until.satura-
                              tion...

                           3. Slow dry (as was done for the Lantern Base).

                           4. Apply a brush coating of 5% shellac in Ethyl
                              alcohol.

                           Naturally, if in my judgment, any treatment outlined here is not
                   showing itself to be:h the best interest ofthe artifact, I will   modify
                   or stop the treatment.  I will notify you in writing of such an occur-
                   rence.

                           The equipment, supplies necessary for these treatments, and
                   further treatment information will be sent to you in subsequent memos.
                   If you have any questions about methods or materials, pleasecontact me
                   by phone or in writing. I will not begin any titeatments without prior
                   written approval from you.

                   KM:kc                             Conservat

                   CC; A. W. Smith
                      J. Gold
                      P. Battaglino
                      J. Thatcher
                      L. Tise

                                                     34

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