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Shipwreck Preservation Appreciation By David Trubey, CZM In 2003, as part of an ongoing effort to work with local communities, the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (MBUAR) teamed up with the Newburyport Maritime Society (NMS) to create programs that would foster an awareness of and appreciation for the area's shipwrecks. In 2003-2005, in recognition of Massachusetts Archaeology Month, an annual program promoting archaeological research across the state, the MBUAR, NMS, and Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc. of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, sponsored events highlighting the role of technology in the detection and exploration of shipwrecks and other submerged archaeological sites. These events featured guest speakers, equipment, exhibits and images of local shipwrecks, and—perhaps even more importantly—helped generate excitement about historic shipwreck preservation. In October 2005, the MBUAR and NMS unveiled a new program dedicated to the reporting and documenting of shipwrecks along the banks of the Merrimack River, the beaches of Plum Island, and the Salisbury shoreline. Known as the Shoreline Heritage Identification Partnerships (SHIPS), this program trains volunteers to recognize the structural elements of shipwrecks, which often make but a brief appearance before disappearing in the shifting sands. Additionally, volunteers are trained to accurately record locations, take basic site measurements, and notify archaeologists at the MBUAR when wrecks are spotted. The SHIPS program is expected to play a significant role in the research and protection of local shipwrecks and in fostering local stewardship of our maritime heritage. If you are interested in getting involved, please call (617) 626-1032. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Boston, MA 02114