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stevechesh · April 28th, 2008, 09:49 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by vid)

I think it might be worth asking if this could be considered under the "adopt a wreck" program.

vid

I read the post so i had a look on the NAS website about this scheme and alarm bells starting ringing.....

quote from here: NAS how to adopt a wreck site
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The 'Adopt a wreck' programme and awards scheme is part of a wider 'Dive with a purpose' initiative by the NAS to encourage divers and others to appreciate and preserve our underwater heritage. The hope is that groups will look at a site more closely, and take on a minimum level of stewardship, monitoring how the site changes over time.
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I can't for the life of me understand why this particular wreck needs "adopting". It's been researched for 20 odd years, and every dive on it has been for the purpose of identifying it. What does a minimum level of stewardship mean? Is it the start of controlling dive sites, as has happened on so many occasions previously? There is a document doing the rounds called Benchmarking Competancy. This involves the NAS and English Heritage (EH). A word of caution here - EH have relied upon, taken and used info provided by divers for there own gains, then shut down dive sites, claiming the work as there own many times. Once these people get involved, you'll have a nightmare trying to dive this or other similar sites like it - and there are many.

My advice would be to steer well clear of these organisations - certainly for the time being at least - and carry on doing your own research. I've researched many wrecks over the past few years, and this one in particular for the last 2 and there are a few names in the frame.

No survey will determine the name of this wreck in my opinion. It will be determined by the cargo alone, or a lucky find like a builders plate. That said, i don't think a survey is a bad idea, but if it was my project, i wouldn't get too hung up on the in depth measurement details. You've already got some pretty important info. The approx length and a beam measurement - However, no sailing ship in the world had a 40 metre beam - You'd be looking at really no more than 10 metre beam maximum, but realistically, anything between 4 and 8 metres would be about right for a sailing ship of this time.

I've told a few of the guys involved in this project particular items to look for and lift. These items frequently have manufacturers markings and dates on them that will help with the ID. I know these items are on the ship, because i've seen them, but didn't have the equipment to lift them myself at the time. All my lift bags had already been sent up.

I've already had two trips canned to this particular wreck this year, but i'll get out and have a look again soon. The stern section that has collapsed is the area to look at in my opinion. It needs a good dig down into the shale to see whats under there, as the bits and bobs on the top of the wreck aren't revealing too much at the moment.... Start digging and lifting and you'll be rewarded.......

April 28th, 2008, 09:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
stevechesh(Offline) New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Somerset Posts: 36	Quote: (Originally Posted by vid) I think it might be worth asking if this could be considered under the "adopt a wreck" program. vid I read the post so i had a look on the NAS website about this scheme and alarm bells starting ringing..... quote from here: NAS how to adopt a wreck site ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The 'Adopt a wreck' programme and awards scheme is part of a wider 'Dive with a purpose' initiative by the NAS to encourage divers and others to appreciate and preserve our underwater heritage. The hope is that groups will look at a site more closely, and take on a minimum level of stewardship, monitoring how the site changes over time. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- I can't for the life of me understand why this particular wreck needs "adopting". It's been researched for 20 odd years, and every dive on it has been for the purpose of identifying it. What does a minimum level of stewardship mean? Is it the start of controlling dive sites, as has happened on so many occasions previously? There is a document doing the rounds called Benchmarking Competancy. This involves the NAS and English Heritage (EH). A word of caution here - EH have relied upon, taken and used info provided by divers for there own gains, then shut down dive sites, claiming the work as there own many times. Once these people get involved, you'll have a nightmare trying to dive this or other similar sites like it - and there are many. My advice would be to steer well clear of these organisations - certainly for the time being at least - and carry on doing your own research. I've researched many wrecks over the past few years, and this one in particular for the last 2 and there are a few names in the frame. No survey will determine the name of this wreck in my opinion. It will be determined by the cargo alone, or a lucky find like a builders plate. That said, i don't think a survey is a bad idea, but if it was my project, i wouldn't get too hung up on the in depth measurement details. You've already got some pretty important info. The approx length and a beam measurement - However, no sailing ship in the world had a 40 metre beam - You'd be looking at really no more than 10 metre beam maximum, but realistically, anything between 4 and 8 metres would be about right for a sailing ship of this time. I've told a few of the guys involved in this project particular items to look for and lift. These items frequently have manufacturers markings and dates on them that will help with the ID. I know these items are on the ship, because i've seen them, but didn't have the equipment to lift them myself at the time. All my lift bags had already been sent up. I've already had two trips canned to this particular wreck this year, but i'll get out and have a look again soon. The stern section that has collapsed is the area to look at in my opinion. It needs a good dig down into the shale to see whats under there, as the bits and bobs on the top of the wreck aren't revealing too much at the moment.... Start digging and lifting and you'll be rewarded.......