Fall 1998 Assessment Plan For Shipwreck 31CR314: Queen Anne's Revenge

The archaeological field work planned for 1998 at shipwreck site 31CR314, believed to be the Queen Anne's Revenge, Blackbeard the pirate's flagship, will be a continuation of efforts begun in 1997. These field studies will provide critical information on the vessel type, period of use, country of origin, and function for this shipwreck. Investigators will also gain insight into the site's layout, makeup, and surrounding environment. The North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB) staff will use the results of the 1997 and 1998 field work to develop a comprehensive site operations and management plan for 31CR314 to be completed by July 1999. This plan will address overall site development, protection and preservation. It will include the following:

• Environmental and archaeological data recovery
• Artifact preservation, curation and storage
• Museum display
• Publicity and public education
• Report generation

Although periodic site visits are likely to occur throughout the year, the primary field investigations will take place during five weeks from September 14th through October 16th. Principal participants will remain the same as last year, which include staff and volunteer divers with UAB and members from Maritime Research Institute (MRI).The University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) will supply a research vessel and operator, the North Carolina Maritime Museum (NCMM) will provide vital support in the way of building storage, vessel dockage and land based personnel, and the Institute of Marine Sciences of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (IMS) will be overseeing environmental studies conducted at the site. The 1998 field crew will be a small, experienced group in order to concentrate on the recovery of vital field data. Cameramen from UNC-TV will also be on site to document archaeological activities, both topside and underwater, throughout the field session. more...