Water Logged
Day 24: Rudder and Stern Reveal Secrets
By Brian S. Jaeschke (9/25/02)
| Work proceeded today with cooler temperatures and clear skies. Digging in and around the port quarter stern continued uncovering many new aspects of wreck #1. Inside the wreck, clay was removed over both transverse and longitudinal framing to locate where the hull flattens out. In the process, it was discovered that the ship had skegs running along each side of the hull. This was done to help stabilize the ship and is an unusual feature as it is found on vessels of more modern construction. |
The stern skeg, port side of the hull |
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One of the vessel's paired rudders |
Outside the ship, the area around one of the numerous ship's rudder's was excavated. This machinery was in good condition and provided an excellent example of river steamer construction for documentation. The area around the midship was measured and mapped. The next few days will involve further excavation inside the ship's stern and mapping of the wreck site. |
| The field school received a visit from a reporter and photographer from the St. Louis Dispatch. The students and professors were photographed and interviewed as they worked on site. An article talking about the project and the students from East Carolina University's maritime program will appear in the paper later in the week. |
Mapping in the midship section |
