|
Year 1 Summary
of the Search for Bonhomme Richard
September 2006
Weekly Updates from the Mission
with Photos!
 The
Ocean Technology Foundation’s Search for the Bonhomme Richard
took place this summer from July 17 – August 19. The search
team was able to survey for 21 days, and had 10 days of weather
prohibiting magnetometer and side scan sonar operations. It was
an honor to have Captain Ian Turner, Royal Navy Hydrographer,
join the group at sea for a day. Representatives from the U.S.
Embassy in London, and NAVSEA also participated in the
expedition.
The expedition
crew recently returned home, with some exciting news. During the
survey, they identified four sites of particular interest that
they want to return to with a remotely operated vehicle next
summer. This will enable the team to get a better view of the
target sites, and to take some video and still images for
further analysis.
Data processing will take place over the
next couple of months to make a mosaic of some of these sites so
that they can get a better idea of how the debris fields are
laid out, etc. They also
expect that when all of this year's data is analyzed, there will
be additional sites that warrant further exploration.
The toughest challenge for Phase 2 will be securing funding
($250,000) for another expedition in 2007.
The following expedition objectives were met:
1)
Produced a comprehensive Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
map and database of potentially significant cultural resources,
and surface geologic features in the project area where the
Bonhomme Richard is believed to have sunk.
2) Systematically mapped the
seafloor in the project area using magnetometry and
high-resolution acoustic data that can be used for a variety of
base maps, GIS coverages, and scientific visualization methods.
3) Began the interpretation and
prioritization of individual magnetic anomalies, anomaly
complexes, and acoustic targets according to potential cultural
significance and association to Bonhomme Richard.
4) Promoted awareness and
appreciation in students, educators and the public of Captain
John Paul Jones, the Battle of Flamborough Head, and the
historical significance of the battle.
The project’s outreach and
education efforts met with great success. Nine presentations
were made to school groups in Bridlington (England) and the
surrounding towns. More than 300 students from ages 9 -17
attended these presentations. The Ocean Technology Foundation’s
website hosted weekly expedition updates with photos. Three
presentations for the public were conducted, and were attended
by a total of 150 people. Expedition team members also spoke at
various local meetings, such as the Rotary Club. A press
conference was held during the expedition, and a few members of
the media were also invited to join the expedition for a day.
Press coverage was substantial via both television, radio, and
newspapers, both in the U.K. and the U.S. The History Channel
filmed portions of the expedition for a future documentary.
For more information, please contact:
Melissa Ryan, Project Manager
Ocean Technology Foundation
1084 Shennecossett Road
Groton, CT 06340
860-405-1198
info@oceantechnology.org
Return to Bonhomme Richard Homepage |
