Shipwrecks - Time Capsules of Human Civilization

RMS Titanic - A Video Tour of the Bow

As Nautical Research Group, Inc. is preparing for our upcoming scientific research expedition to RMS Titanic in July, 2005; we are unveiling some cutting-edge web technology that will allow us to provide our viewers with instant text-feeds from the Russian research vessel, Akademik Keldysh over the site of RMS Titanic. Additionally, we will be providing full video clips that will allow our viewers a glimpse of what the ship looks like at 12,650 feet of cold, north Atlantic waters. As a brief test of the new video technology, we are providing a clip from our 2003 RMS Titanic Research Expedition from the viewport of the submersible Mir I and piloted by Anatoly Sagalevitch. The small red dot is a reflection of the SONY video camera's LED. Please feel free to give us plenty of feedback on the look and feel of this video. You may have to have the add-in Flash7 by Macromedia active if you can not view this video.

USS Niagara - Tale of Two Ships

The name Niagara has been used by many different naval ships and by several different countries over the past 300 years. Even a class of Star Trek starships is named Niagara; however, it is not the focus of this web log to discuss starships. 

Originally, the Indian name for Niagara was Ongiara. Within years of Father Hennepin's visit to the Falls, the name gradually changed to become Niagara by the explorers and non-native settlers. The United States Navy has used the name Niagara many times ( there were eight Niagara-named naval vessels); however, we will discuss in this weblog two of the more recent uses of this name.  Our first USS Niagara was built on February 23,1855, commissioned on April 6th, 1857 and her first task was the laying of the transatlantic cable between Ireland and Newfoundland. This was a very monumental event that immortalized this USS Niagara. Additionally, she liberated 200 Africans from a brig that was bringing them over from Africa as slaves, transported the first Japanese diplomats from Washington to New York and served the Union as a blockade runner in the Civil War. The USS Niagara led a very long life and was decommissioned in 1864, remaining in the Boston Ship Yard until purchased by a private enterprise in 1885.

Our second USS Niagara originally was called the steam yacht Niagara and was built in 1898 in Wilmington, Delaware. Because of the onset of World War I, the United States Navy purchased her in 1917, converted her into a patrol boat and renamed her USS Niagara in 1918.  Like her earlier "sister" she was involved in the laying of cable between the United States and the West Indies - only this Niagara was used to escort the cable ships between several ports. Post-World War I, the Niagara spent the majority of her time performing vital surveying duties throughout the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea areas. Much of our corporation's work in Florida owes a debt of thanks to the Niagara for providing us with accurate nautical charts of this region. Finally, the USS Niagara was decommissioned in early March 1931 and sold for scrap in September, 1933.

Underwater Gold Mine - The Story of RMS Niagara

In 1913, the Royal Mail Ship, RMS Niagara was built by John Brown & Co. in Clydebank, Glascow, Scotland, to the highest standards of the great ocean liners of her time. This same shipyard had produced both the mighty Lusitania and the beautiful Empress of Ireland. She was made specifically for New Zealand-based Union Shipping Line's transpacific fleet and her ports of call were Vancouver, Auckland and Sydney. Although not a very large ocean liner at 525ft long and a displacement of 13,415 tons, she was considered quite luxurious and her passengers affectionately called her the “Titanic of the Pacific”. She served the Pacific route for quarter of a century and became an icon of style, quality and reliability.

In 1940, the Niagara was appropriated for Britain's fight against the Germans in World War II. Since New Zealand was a commonwealth of Britain, the Niagara was used quite strategically for its transpacific ties into North America. On June 18th, her four-year captain, Bill Martin was given a secret project. In order to fuel Britain's war efforts, the Niagara was to haul a cargo of eight tons of gold bullion from its home port of Auckland to Vancouver, British Columbia. The bullion was being used to pay the United States for munitions that were essential for Britain's struggle in defense of its homeland.

Unfortunately for the Niagara, the Germans knew of this sea passageway across the Pacific and ordered a German raider, Orion, to lay an extensive minefield in the Hauraki Gulf under cover of the night that very same week. The Niagara hit a mine and slowly sank in a calm sea with no loss of life. Although all the passengers and crew were returned safely to Auckland later the same day, the beautiful liner RMS Niagara was lost with eight tons of gold bullion in 400 feet of water.

Following the sinking, plans were immediately made to recover the gold from the Niagara. A deep salvage attempt of this depth would be one of the most ambitious efforts ever undertaken. Led by Captain J P Williams, a salvage crew and boat named Claymore, the salvage team was assembled for the recovery. It took this crew almost a full year of arduous work to recover the majority of the gold bullion. Later in 1953, an original salvage dive leader employed by Captain Williams named Johnstone recovered all the remaining gold bars with the exception of five bars.

In January of 1999, the first technical divers ( Tim Cashman and Dave Apperley) to visit the Niagara using mixed-gas, closed circuit rebreathers were accomplished at close to 400 feet. Using full-support diving and video teams, the Niagara was extensively filmed and this footage has been shown several times on National Geographic television. The film shows a very beautiful and intact ship with very little damage from the mine or the previous salvage expeditions. May this beautiful ship rest in peace!

Niagara Falls Nostalgia - RMS Niagara and two USS Niagara(s)

I would like to thank Belinda Sawyer for breaking away from her busy schedule to give us a live report from the beautiful Malpelo and Cocos Islands. In three weeks, Belinda will report LIVE from the wreck site of the German battleship, Bismarck and our blog will have that exclusive story.

I would like to continue this coming week with ships that have a theme related to Niagara Falls.  The first ship that we will report on is the Royal Mail Ship - RMS Niagara. This converted luxury liner was carrying eight tons of gold bullion and hit a mine. She sank off New Zealand's waters on June 19th, 1940 in about 400 feet.

The other ships that we will report on are the two different USS Niagara(s). USS Niagara (the first) was built in 1857, served the Union in the Civil War and led a very long life. The second USS Niagara originally was called the steam yacht Niagara and was built in 1898. Because of the onset of World War I, the United States Navy purchased her in 1917 and renamed her USS Niagara.

Deep Ocean Expeditions - Expedition to Battleship Bismarck Preview

This is Belinda Sawyer, Operations Manager for Deep Ocean Expeditions, reporting live from dive locations on Malpelo and Cocos Islands. Amongst the beautiful blue waters off the coast of Colombia and Costa Rica, we have the rare opportunity to see schools of huge hammerhead and silky sharks and also schools of eagle rays. Despite this utopic serenity, my thoughts are looking forward to our research expedition and dives to the legendary German battleship Bismarck that will occur next month.

Utilizing the largest research vessel in the world, the Russian ship named Akademik Keldysh, we will be using two deep-diving submersibles called Mir I and Mir II. Diving down to the wreck's location at over 15,000 feet, and illuminated by the powerful lights of the submersible, we will witness the remains of the Bismarck. The main section is surprisingly intact, although it shows signs of the large-scale damage wrought by the pounding of the British shells. Part of the stern section has broken away and the main gun turrets are missing. Many of the smaller guns, including the anti-aircraft guns are still in place. The bridge area was largely blown away but the remaining superstructure is intact although obviously damaged. Some of the wooden planks are still visible on the deck. All the dives to Bismarck will have a scientific component through collecting samples, taking instrument measurements and making photographic imagery at the seafloor. At no time will there be retrieval of items nor will we come into contact with the Bismarck. We recognize this site as a war grave and will treat her with respect and dignity.

For further information on this diving expedition and the others that we support, please visit our website at http://www.deepoceanexpeditions.com . As an added bonus, we will be sending a live report from the Bismarck during our expedition.

LaSalle and the Voyage of the Griffon Part III - The Griffon is "Found"???

Last summer, a Great Lakes treasure hunter named Steve Libert claimed that he had found the Griffon between Escanaba and the St. Martin Islands, near Wisconsin. During his procedure to arrest the wreck for salvage claims, his permit was rejected by the State of Michigan who claimed that the wreck was theirs. According to their state mandate, all ships found in waters that border their state are Michigan's property.  Michigan moved to block Libert's claim in federal court, arguing that state law and the federal Abandoned Shipwreck Act give it ownership of sunken boats of historical significance.

A huge court battle ensued between Libert and the State of Michigan over the rights to the wreck and ownership. Illinois state archaeologists through Chicago's Field Museum have been investigating the wreck site but have been very tight-lipped about their results. Most scientists and researchers feel very dubious of the claim that this ship is the legendary Griffon. Mr. Libert's attorney claim that Libert is "committed to preserving the site" and wants to work with Michigan officials. However, it appears that Mr. Libert has spent enough time, money and energy trying to negotiate with the State of Michigan.

Just this past week, Libert trumped Michigan's claim to the wreck by working with the French government to impose France's claim to the ship. Since the Griffon was commissioned as a French vessel on officially-sanctioned French business, then France's right to the Griffon supercedes that of the State of Michigan. In a somewhat ironic twist, France wants to exert its right to the ship and has commissioned Mr. Libert and his Great Lakes Exploration Group to go forward with their work on the wreck. WOW!

Right now the courts are trying to find out what to do next. No one has worked the wreck site yet this year. U.S. Chief District Judge Robert Holmes Bell told Mr. Libert's attorney to get more details to the state scientists within the next two weeks. Once the details are received, the state will check the site and report back its ruling in July. In the meantime, the story of the Griffon is still shrouded by mystery and now international litigation. We will report more on this story as the the plot thickens.....
Dedicated to LaSalle Senior High School Class of 1965.

LaSalle and the Voyage of the Griffon Part II - The Search for the Griffon

By  mid-September of 1679, LaSalle has needed a new ship. While establishing an encampment in Wisconsin, LaSalle decided that he need another vessel to accompanying him on his journeys. On September 18th, he ordered the Griffon and a skeleton crew of six back to Niagara Falls for the requisition of the supplies necessary for him to build this new ship. Additionally, he had the Griffon filled with furs and other precious items that he wanted to bring back to the Falls for trade to get the required shipbuilding supplies. That was the last time anyone had seen the Griffon or her six man crew. The ship had mysteriously vanished!

The pursuit of trying to find the Griffon has been described as the "Holy Grail" of the Great Lakes. With current diving and scanning technologies, the hunt for the elusive ship has taken on a frenzied atmosphere. With so many rumors about the integrity and navigational skills of the officer in charge, a Danish man known as Luc, anywhere along the Great Lakes and associated tributaries were fair game for the search. In the mid-1950's quite a stir was made that the Griffon was found in Canada, in the vicinity of the Russell Island region of Georgian Bay. The theory was that the navigator, Luc, had inadvertently steered the vessel into the Bay and got lost. Other accounts had the ship and crew plundered by the Indians after a failed deal by Luc to steal the furs and cargo. Up until the mid-1970's this theory was very plausible and the find was thought to be the Griffon through anecdotal evidence. The advent of nautical archaeology was in its infancy and several leading authorities from Texas A&M had conclusively proven that the ship remains found in Georgian Bay were NOT the Griffon. So the search for the lost ship and our story ( Part III ) continue ......
Dedicated to LaSalle Senior High School Class of 1965.

LaSalle and the Voyage of the Griffon Part I - Construction at Niagara Falls

I was doing some work up in Canada last week and thought that I would come back and visit my old hometown of Niagara Falls, NY on the way back to New Jersey. I have many fond memories of my growing up in this city and my home was less than a mile from the Canadian border. I attended one of the city's high school named LaSalle Senior, our mascot was called Explorers and our school's newspaper was called the Griffon. Little did I know about the historic legacy that Niagara Falls had with the French Explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle and the vessel named Griffon.

In 1678, LaSalle was introduced to Father Louis Hennepin who is best remembered for the earliest writings about Niagara Falls. Hennepin would accompany LaSalle on his explorations and would keep copious accounts of their travels and adventures. If it was not for Hennepin, much of the details of LaSalle's work would be lost today. In January of 1679, the Griffon's building party arrived at the mouth of Cayuga Creek on the Niagara River (about a mile from my high school)  where the ship would be built. The exact place where the Griffon was constructed is marked by a boulder and historical plaque at 9317 Buffalo Avenue, just north of the city marina. The Plaque reads:

          Hereabout, in May, 1679
          Robert Cavelier De La Salle
          Built the GRIFFON of Sixty
          Tons burthen. The first Vessel
          To Sail the Upper Lakes
          May 1902

The Keel was laid on January 26th and by August 7th, the ship was launched into Cayuga Creek and moved to Lake Erie and immediately began its long journey toward Green Bay, Wisconsin. The voyage to Wisconsin was very arduous and LaSalle realized that he needed another ship. Once in Green Bay and in the face of mounting pressures, LaSalle ordered six of his men to sail back to Niagara on Sept 18th and then return with the iron works needed for the second ship. By December the Griffon had not returned and runners brought LaSalle a message that the ship had never reached Niagara Falls. LaSalle must now accept the fact that the Griffon was lost.

This series of weblogs are dedicated to LaSalle Senior High School Class of 1965. Happy 40th Anniversary!

Deep Ocean Expeditions - Exploration to Bismarck and Titanic

Deep Ocean Expeditions ( DOE) is a global leader in providing adventure expeditions to the deep oceans of the world. Throughout the summer, DOE will be visiting the World War II German battleship, Bismarck at over 15,000 feet, RMS Titanic in close to 13,000 feet and the ocean's thermal vents-the site of a James Cameron's Aliens of the Deep 3-D IMAX film. Your host on these fascinating journeys will be expedition lead and adventurer, Belinda Sawyer who has been involved with running these expeditions for many years. During the summer months, Belinda is a wonderful ambassador on the Russian research vessel, Akademik Keldysh and she is very knowledgeable about the oceans and wreck sites on the bottom of the sea.
A native New Zealander, Belinda has gained her NZ Coastal Master (Captains Certificate) and Marine Engineer qualifications. A current member of the famous Explorers Club, she has worked in various roles including Expedition Leader in many parts of the world. Her work has varied from leading remote location support teams to commanding vessels to implementing inshore fisheries management programs. She has worked on several expedition ships, including icebreakers in Antarctica, tropical dive expeditions and deep diving submersible operations. Continuing with Deep Ocean Expeditions primary goals of adventure, education and science, Belinda also promotes exploration and sustainable management of the world oceans through the DOE website and various education institutes.

Mote Marine Research Laboratory

Last month, I was invited to visit the Mote Marine Research Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. I was truly amazed to see such a wonderful facility that is dedicated to the study and sciences of the sea. The facility boasts of a world-class aquarium, underwater research laboratories, marine mammal stranding center, aquaculture park and a top-rate public educational organization. My gracious host was Lorienne White, Public Programs Coordinator within the Education division of Mote. I can truly state that I was very impressed with the Education Division at Mote and their head, Dr. David Niebuhr. They have many programs for public education including a telecommunications area that can give many high schools, universities, libraries and museums remote programming about the seas from their facility. Being a biologist and nautical researcher, I was thrilled to talk with their scientists on their latest studies and felt at home talking with their technologists about their latest underwater tools such as ROVs (remote operated vehicles) and scanning technologies ( side-scan, magnetometer etc.) .
Two of the world's foremost women scientists, Dr Sylvia Earle (Trustee) and Dr. Eugenie Clark (Trustee Emeritus) are members of Mote's Board of Directors. Another fascinating person that I met while at Mote was their nautical archeologist named J. Coz Cozzi. We had a wonderful chat about several of the recent shipwrecks discoveries such as the Nantucket Lightship, Queen Anne's Revenge, the Alligator, Hunley and Monitor. I could of spent the entire day just talking with Coz about all the fascinating ships that we have explored or would like to in the future. Hopefully, this may come about as Nautical Research Group has many projects on-going in Florida and Mote would be an excellent organization to partner with on a research project. If you and your family are in the Sarasota area, then a trip to Mote would be an excellent way to spend the day-and you will certainly learn much about the sea and have a fun time doing it!