skip to Main Content skip to Section Navigation in text click here to go to site navigation in text
nms logo for banner graphic
click here to go to home pageclick here to go to site search
click here to go to the about the mbnms section click here to go to the visitors information section click here to go to the research and monitoring section click here to go to the resource management issues section click here to go to the education and research section
facebook twitter

Maritime Heritage Overview

Action Plan

Historic Shipwrecks

Field Research

Database Exercise

Technical Reports

Exhibits

Partners and Links

Follow MBNMS

 

 

 
  Maritime Heritage: Field Research  
Sky-hook of Curtiss Sparrowhawk F9C-2 biplane at USS Macon wreck site (Credit: NOAA/MBARI)

 

 

 

Program efforts to manage and protect submerged archaeological sites include conducting paleo-ecological and archaeological studies; inventorying, locating, and monitoring both historic shipwrecks and those that pose an environmental threat to sanctuary marine resources; and characterizing and protecting heritage resources.

The Maritime Heritage Action Plan for the three central coast sanctuaries outlines the need to inventory and assess submerged archaeological resources (NOAA 2008). MBNMS commissioned a shipwreck inventory from established shipwreck databases and review of primary and secondary source documentation. This study, entitled MBNMS Submerged Cultural Resources Study (Smith and Hunter 2001), provides a foundation for an inventory of the historic resources in the sanctuary. The study indicates 463 reported losses (vessels, aircraft) occurred in Pacific waters within, or near the border of, the MBNMS.

Several reconnaissance missions and site characterizations are complete. See the links below for site specific information (alphabetical):

Vessel Name Vessel Type Year Lost Casualty Location
Harlech Castle Bark 1869 Pt Piedras Blancas
Macon Dirigible 1935 Pt Sur, south of
Montebello Oil Tanker 1941 Cambria, west of
Sierra Nevada Sidewheel Steamer 1869 Pt Piedras Blancas

 

   
National Marine Sanctuaries | National Ocean Service | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce | NOAA Library

click here to go to the NOAA home page For Website comments/questions, contact the MBNMS Webmaster.
For programmatic comments/question, contact the appropriate MBNMS Staff.
MBNMS Privacy Statement
This page last modified on: 09/22/10
click here to go to the national marine sanctuaries home page

URL: http://montereybay.noaa.gov/maritime/field.html