One of the most exotic of the occupations in the world of water involves treasure hunting under the sea. This recent science has come to the attention of Americans because of the interest stirred by the discovery of a number of sunken ships and treasures. Origins of this field of study date to the year 1900, when a party of Greek sponge divers accidentally found an ancient shipwreck and salvaged priceless statues from it. For many years, marine archaeology remained a crude science; often wrecks were pirated for their booty with little attention to historical artifacts.
The development of SCUBA equipment, undersea vehicles, and systematic procedures for rescuing artifacts from the sea and reconstructing them on shore has contributed to advancing the academic discipline of nautical archaeology. One author and undersea archaeologist describes an experience:
Before ascending, I took a long look around at what undoubtedly was the ruin of a ship. What ship was she? I wondered. Out of what port? Where was she bound, carrying what cargo, and under whose hand? What adventures had she survived before the final one that brought her to the bottom?
The first step in the challenge involves the awesome problem of locating the ship. Once the assembled team has a general idea where a ship may be found, it then proceeds to find the vessel. Many times this becomes a difficult task that results in failure. If discovered, following the initial examination, a grid of pipes is laid out in the area of the ship. As each piece of wreckage is brought to the surface, it is labeled to facilitate its reconstruction. This field involves serious and painstaking procedures. History thus salvaged from the sea includes items such as cannons, cutlasses, religious objects, water jugs, eating utensils, and even exotic items like lime juicers and dice. Archaeologists use these artifacts and information about the period to reconstruct an idea of the ship, its mission, and the people who formed the society of which the sailors were members. Consequently, marine archaeologists contribute to a greater understanding of the past.
Carmen Marquez-Marin operates her own business, Archeo Marine Research, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In an interview for Marine Science Careers, she told of her love for her occupation. "I like having the opportunity to combine my interest in human behavior and my love of the sea while studying how human beings have interacted with the marine environment at different times in history."
The outlook for marine archaeology appears to be good because of a growing general interest in the field and the continued development of undersea technology. However, few opportunities exist; most undersea archaeologists are employed only part-time. Many work in museums and serve on university faculties. Those interested in entering the profession would be well advised to obtain an advanced degree. Some supportive positions are filled by diving specialists, who are hired on a part-time basis.
SHIP RESTORERS
Somewhat related to the career field described above is that of ship restoration, which often involves wooden ships of an earlier era. For example, during America's Bicentennial Celebration Year, the voyage of the Tall Ships from Bermuda to New York City, an accident occurred in which the Gazela Primiero was rammed by another ship. Fortunately, the damaged ship was able to be repaired by a ship's carpenter at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut. This incident focused national attention on this career. The carpenter was one of a few people in this country knowledgeable in the skills used decades ago on sailing ships. Several museums are in the process of restoring vessels to their original condition and need persons with sailing ships' crafts. So important are these persons that museums jealously guard those in their employ. Naturally, these restoration experts receive attractive salaries.
The field of wooden boatbuilding is more active than most would expect. Wooden minesweepers are being built in Wisconsin and wooden shrimpers and fish boats in Florida and Washington. Along the eastern seaboard and in the northwest, wooden sail and power pleasure boats are under construction. Larger fiberglass pleasure boats have increasing amounts of wood on deck and in the interior. Numbers of older wooden pleasure boats need repair and restoration. Although not a large industry, it nonetheless requires skilled craftspeople familiar with traditional and modern techniques of building and repair.
Bath, Maine--a cradle of boat and shipbuilding activity for more than three hundred years--boasts a wonderful program in ship preservation skills. This branch of the Maine Maritime Museum trains apprentices who spend eighteen to twenty-four months at the site, as well as many educators who spend shorter periods of time onboard. The program ties in nicely with the national trend toward using one's hands and has had an excellent response. The museum's apprentices build wooden vessels as they were built in the last century, utilizing time-tested skills and procedures. For example, oils, pine tar, and turpentine are used as preservatives.
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