Wimble Shoals: An Exploration and Characterization of Submerged Cultural Resources and Benthic Habitat Characterization Grant uri icon

abstract

  • This proposed project represents a 1 year multidisciplinary study aimed at characterizing the maritime heritage resources and benthic habitat and bathymetry on Wimble Shoals with the goals of continuing to enhance our knowledge of their importance with respect to coastal processes affecting the marine ecosystem off Hatteras Island, while simultaneously looking to discover and classify cultural resources in the area, and seeking to understand the relationships between dynamic sediment areas, and the discovery and preservation of significant shipwreck sites. Field surveys will utilize a suite of geophysical techniques to accurately quantify the morphology of the shoals, while searching for shipwrecks in the area. The work has significance because the study has the potential to assist in informing best management practices regarding sand resources and mineral extraction in the area in addition to submerged cultural resources, as well as lend a better understanding of the role of wreck as benthic habitat for fisheries and other marine organisms. Several historic shipwrecks in the historic record are likely located on or near the shoals. Most significantly, the wreck of Mirlo, and merchant ship sunk by a German U-boat during WWI is a primary target of this search effort. The history of the Mirlo is import to understanding WWI off the east coast and is of special significance to USCG history and the U.S. Lifesaving Service. The discovery of Mirlo would be a significant find and used to inform the boundaries that are in development for a proposed expansion to the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary.

date/time interval

  • December 2019 - September 2020