Message #136347

[Bianca]

General site dimensions encompass an area approximately 150 feet by 50 feet. This concentrated artifact distribution suggests that the vessel sank and deteriorated during a time when there were no significant storms. The cultural materials and the direction of the planks and frames contained in the hull section are oriented on a north-south axis. There are various interpretations of the site layout and what that layout reflects in terms of vessel orientation and





Figure 6. 0003BUI shipwreck site plan as it appeared in 1997 and 1998.



site deposition. The bow of the shipwreck appears to be at the north end of the site, based on the location of the north anchor, which probably represents one of the ship's bower anchors. The collection of valuable artifacts found in the southern portion of the site likely came from the officer's quarters in the stern. Large ballast stones on the east side probably came from deep inside the vessel's hull, and it appears that the ship heeled over on its port side after sinking. That finding is also borne out by the large number of cannons and ship's rigging found along the site's western margin. As the vessel listed to port, those items at or above deck level would have been tossed and deposited in a westerly direction. A clearer understanding of the site layout will be achieved as excavations continue.

Stratigraphically, the site is relatively shallow. With the exception of the fluke on the highest anchor (A1), the exposed portion of the site rises only 2 feet above the surrounding bottom. This can be deceptive to the diver because often there is a lower scoured area immediately surrounding the exposed wreckage. Moving out from this area, cultural materials are covered by as much as 4 feet of sand overburden. The cultural deposits are intermixed with coarse sand and shell in a layer ranging from 9 to 15 inches thick. The vertical dispersion of artifacts depends to some degree on their relative density and the period during which they were deposited. Lighter materials, especially intrusive modern debris such as plastic drink bottles, are nearer the surface, while the heavier objects associated with the shipwreck, such as lead shot, are found at the lowest level. Underlying the cultural layer is a hard-packed stratum of fine, clayey sands. Artifacts do not appear to have penetrated this layer. While the disturbance of shipwreck materials from ocean currents is obvious, it also appears that the lower portions of the cultural layer may be less affected, as evidenced by the preserved hull structure and the recovery of two intact glass wine bottles.