Channel: oceanexplorergov

Category: Science & Technology

Description: NOAA and partners today announced the discovery of the wreck of a 207-year-old whaling ship, called Industry, found on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. The remains of the 64-foot long, two-masted wooden brig opens a window into a little known chapter of American history when descendants of African slaves and Native Americans served as essential crew in one of the nation’s oldest industries. During Dive 02 of NOAA Ocean Exploration’s 2022 ROV and Mapping Shakedown on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, scientists on ship and shore explored the wreck of what they believed to be the historic 19th century whaler. Scientists from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and SEARCH Inc. provided coordinates and other information and narrated the dive from shore, live via telepresence. Artifacts documented during the dive include tryworks, an iron stove with two kettles that was used to render whale blubber into oil; two visible anchors; and bottles. Only one whaler is known to have been lost in the Gulf of Mexico between the post-American revolutionary period and the end of the 19th century. At the time of the dive, we didn’t know if this and the wreck were one and the same, but the data collected and further research have confirmed that this is very likely the remains of the brig Industry. Learn more: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/news/oer-updates/2022/industry.html Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2022 ROV and Mapping Shakedown.