A digital sonar image of vessel
Posted on 08/15/2010 7:36:07 AM PDT by Pharmboy
A digital sonar image of a different vessel on the floor of the York River. Shipwreck may date to 1781 siege
YORK — Two years ago a sonar company in Gloucester was testing equipment in the York River when the crew hit the jackpot: an uncharted shipwreck on the river bottom.
“That was quite a surprise,” said David Hazzard, an archaeologist with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
The area where the ship was found is well-documented. There have previously been nine documented shipwrecks in the York River associated with the Revolutionary War and the Siege at Yorktown. Seven ships are on the Yorktown side and two are on the Gloucester side.
The latest find is on the Yorktown side, near the fishing pier at the Archer Cottage.
“The proximity to the other shipwrecks suggests this is a Revolutionary War shipwreck and was one of the ships scuttled by Lord Cornwallis as a defensive maneuver against the French fleet,” he said.
A digital sonar image of vessel
Next week two consultants for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources hope to find out for sure when they do a multi-day survey of the ship. The survey is being funded through the Department of Historic Resources Threatened Sites Program.
(Excerpt) Read more at vagazette.com ...
One of the few things I can actually seriously thank the French for...
The RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list...
Looks like a steam locomotive to me.
If buttercups buzz’d after the bee,
If boats were on land, churches on sea,
If ponies rode men and if grass ate the cows,
And cats should be chased into holes by the mouse,
If the mamas sold their babies
To the gypsies for half a crown;
If summer were spring and the other way round,
Then all the world would be upside down.
>> A strong argument can be made that sans les Français we would still be singing “God Save the Queen.” <<
It’s quite possible. Although the French had other motives, they sure were helpful.
There’s a monument to François Joseph Paul de Grasse not to far from where I live...
You're absolutely right. But, we must remember that any successful military strategist is successful because he used the resources available at the time and that includes political as well as physical resources. The French had the resources to prevent the British's resupplying themselves (physical)and they hated the British (political).
Le bump!
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Thanks Pharmboy. In case I'd not mentioned it today, Thank God for George Washington. |
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You’re most welcome; and indeed, thank God for General Washington and this great Republic!
Storm York River
A Royal Navy sloop of the Swan Class of this period would measure about 96 feet on the gun deck. This vessel appears to measure about 82 feet on the gun deck, so a little small for a three masted sloop. Probably an unrated brig with two masts. If so, it will be a remarkable find, very few of these wrecks exist and this one seems to be in great condition with even the deck beams still in place. The deck beams rest on clamps that are tied into the frames. For the deck beams to appear like they do on the sonar, the clamps and frames must also still be in their original position. Quite extraordinary outside of the Baltic.
The fleet at Yorktown was scuttled on 9 October 1781 and included the Charon (44), the Guadeloupe (28), and the Fowey (24). These ships are too large to match the sonar, but HMS Vulcan, a fireship might be a possibility. She was 91 feet on the gun deck. She was used in an attack on the French on 23 September, but her hulk might have been towed back and scuttled.
Geez...that looks a bit more than a “storm.” Head for the basements...
Thank you for adding that excellent information.
Also, was not the Guadeloupe recovered already?
Wow, you know your stuff.Great read.
Current caption for that picture: “A digital sonar image of a different vessel on the floor of the York River.”
Different vessel.
Length is just a guess on my part based on the image displayed and the legend of 42 meters. It appears to me that she is lying keel down with the tops of the frames and the deck beams clearly visible.
Yes, I think you are right, the wreck of the Guadeloupe has been excavated and this is certainly too small to be a 28 gun frigate. Closer to the size of the brig Betsy.
I hope that they keep the location secret, the last thing that they need is a bunch of “help” from amateur divers.
Ah, the old bait and switch and I’m left with hopes dashed. So, we’ll just have to wait and see what they have to say.
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