The 1999 Summer Field School

The Maritime Studies summer field school teaches students basic underwater archaeological techniques. Field school topics include site surveys, underwater mapping, ship construction, site formation processes, and excavation techniques. The 1999 field school investigated two shipwrecks in the Tar and Pamlico Rivers in eastern North Carolina. Both 19th century sites are the subject of student thesis research.

Colonel Hill (Oregon)

A wreck site believed to be the remains of the steamer Oregon. Built in 1846, the Oregon was originally used to transport agricultural produce from inland waterways to coastal North Carolina. During the Civil War the vessel was renamed Colonel Hill and served as a troop transport. In 1863 the steamer was burned during a raid by Union troops, and its remains are now located approximately one mile south of Tarboro, NC in the Tar River.The summer field school conducted a survey of the site from May 31 through June 3, 1999.

The Pamlico River Site

The 1998 summer field school, working in the Pamlico River near Washington, NC, identified nine separate wreck sites on the northeast shore of Castle Island. The sites included a sharpie, two barges, a vessel believed to be a steam powered ferry, and a schooner. Schooners and other indigenous small watercraft served the communities of coastal Carolina into the 20th century. The 1999 summer field school conducted a survey of the schooner from June 7 until June 18, 1999.