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20

•NATIONALREGISTER
BULLETIN
Technical information on comprehensive planning, survey of cultural resources, and registration in
the National Register of Historic Places.

U.S. Department of the Interior


National Park Service
Interagency Resources Division

Nominating Historic Vessels and Shipwrecks to the National Register


of Historic Places
James P. Delgado and A National Park Service Maritime Task Force*
INTRODUCTION
For over two hundred years,
the United States relied on ships as
connective links of a nation.
Vessels crossing the Atlantic,
Caribbean, and Pacific Oceans, and
our inland waters made fundamen-
tal contributions to colonial settle-
ment, development of trade,
exploration, national defense, and
territorial expansion. Unfortunately,
we have lost much of this maritime
tradition, and most historic vessels
have gone to watery graves or have
been scrapped by shipbreakers.
Many vessels, once renowned or
common, now can only be ap-
preciated in print, on film, on can-
vas, or in museums.
To recognize those cultural
resources important in America's
past and to encourage their preser-
vation, Congress expanded the
National Register of Historic Places
in 1966. Among the ranks of prop-
erties listed in the National Register
are vessels, as well as buildings
and structures, such as canals,
drydocks, shipyards, and
lighthouses that survive to docu-
ment the Nation's maritime
heritage. Yet to date, the National
Register has not been fully utilized
for listing maritime resources, par-
ticularly historic vessels.
The National Register of
Historic Places is an important tool FIGURE 1: Star of India, built in 1863, is now berthed at the San Diego Maritime Museum.
for maritime preservation. Utilizing (Photo credit: Roscoe Smith, courtesy of Maritime Museum Association of San Diego)
uniform National Register criteria to State Historic Preservation Officers, craft built to navigate a waterway
evaluate significance and integrity certified local governments, (oceans, lakes, rivers, canals),
is an important first step in plan- maritime preservation professionals, regardless of type of construction
ning for the preservation of historic and concerned citizens in identify- or motive of power employed,
vessels. The National Register is ing, evaluating, and nominating which meets the National Register
the best means of defining historic vessels and shipwrecks to criteria for evaluation. Because of
categories and establishing priorities the National Register of Historic the special nature of nominations
for significance of historic vessels in Places. General instructions for for shipwreck sites, this bulletin is
the United States. Listing provides preparation of nominations are divided into two sections. Section 1
an incentive for maritime preserva- available in National Register discusses the evaluation and
tion by recognizing resources as Bulletin 16, "Guidelines for Com- nomination of maritime resources
worthy of preservation. Finally pleting National Register of Historic emphasizing historic vessels. Sec-
listing affords a measure of protec- Places Forms." Particular emphasis tion 2 exclusively focuses on the
tion from Federal undertakings and has been placed here on the specialized documentation re-
can be a source of funding when preparation of National Register quirements for shipwreck
monies are available. nomination forms for vessels. For nominations.
This bulletin is intended to the purposes of the National
guide Federal Preservation Officers, Register, a historic vessel is any

SECTION ONE:
NOMINATING HISTORIC
VESSELS

TYPES OF HISTORIC VESSELS

There are five basic types of


historic vessels which may be eligi-
ble for listing in the National
Register. These types are:

1. Floating historic vessels. Large


vessels (usually greater than 40 feet
in length or weighing over twenty
tons) that are maintained in and on
the water, including artificial moor-
ing basins. (U.S.S. Constitution in
Boston, Star of India at San Diego,
and Queen Mary at Long Beach.)
2. Dry-berthed historic vessels.
Vessels that are preserved out of
the water and are located in a dry-
dock or setting close to or part of a
waterfront. (S.S. Ticonderoga at Burl-
ington, Vermont)
3. Small craft. Floating or
displayed vessels generally less
than forty feet in length and twenty
tons in weight. (Chesapeake Bay
log canoes are examples of historic
small craft.)
4. Hulks. Substantially intact
vessels that are not afloat, such as
abandoned or laid up craft that are FIGURE 2: U.S.S. North Carolina, a World War II battleship now preserved as a floating
historic vessel, is moored in an artificial basin dredged into the Cape Fear River's banks at
on a mudflat, beach, or other Wilmington, North Carolina. (Photo credit: courtesy U.S.S. NORTH CAROLINA Battleship
shoreline. (Schooners Hesper and Commission)

*James P. Delgado wrote Section 1 of this bulletin and compiled the bibliography and source listings. Mr. Delgado is maritime historian for the National Park
Service. Section 2 was drafted in December of 1985 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, by a National Park Service task force composed of Edwin C. Bearss, Toni
Carrell, Calvin Cummings, James P. Delgado, Ron Ice, Diane ]ung, Roger E. Kelly, Daniel ]. Lenihan, Larry Murphy, Larry Nordby, Richard Sellars, Yvonne
Stewart, Melody Webb, and Edward M. Miller, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Primary responsibility for editing and rewriting the
preliminary guidelines outlined by the task force participants was assigned to Toni Carrell of the National Park Service's Cultural Resource Unit.
Luther Little at Wiscasset, Maine)
5. Shipwrecks. A submerged or
buried vessel that has foundered,
stranded, or wrecked. This includes
vessels that exist as intact or scat-
tered components on or in the sea
bed, lake bed, river bed, mud flats,
beaches, or other shorelines,
excepting hulks. (U.S.S. Monitor,
which lies 16 miles off North
Carolina in 230 feet of water, or
Peter Iredale, whose steel remains lie
on the beach near Astoria, Oregon)

Qualifications for Evaluating


Historic Shipwrecks and
Vessels for the National
Register of Historic Places
Individuals recommended to
prepare nominations for historic
vessels and shipwrecks should be FIGURE 3: C. A. Thai/er, an 1895 three-masted schooner, is a floating historic vessel moored
at the National Maritime Museum, San Francisco. (Photo credit: Richard Frear, NPS)
knowledgeable in maritime studies.
Usually, such persons have designer or builder; or 3) was in- of her individual characteristics
academic backgrounds or ex- volved in important maritime trade, based on a physical inspection of
perience in such fields and naval, recreational, government, or the vessel and a documentation of
disciplines as marine survey, commercial activities. The her history.
maritime history, archeology, significance of a historic vessel can
historic preservation, and American 2. Identification of the historic
only be determined through a context(s) associated with the vessel
studies. Individuals competent to systematic investigation of the
conduct work described in this based on a documentation of her
vessel's qualities, associations, and history.
bulletin should be familiar with the characteristics. A typical investiga-
terminology used to describe 3. Determination that the
tion for a historic vessel nomination characteristics of the vessel make
wooden and iron vessel construc- should include:
tion, hull types, rigging, marine her either the best, or, a good
steam, and other machinery. They representative of her type.
should also be familiar with the 1. Identification of the specific 4. Evaluation of the significance of
development, trends, and type of vessel and documentation the vessel based on the National
chronology of vessel types and "1
maritime trades in North America.

Evaluating Historic Vessels


for the National Register of
Historic Places
To qualify for the National
Register, a historic vessel must
have significance as one of the
vessel types listed above and retain
integrity of location, design, set-
ting, materials, workmanship, feel-
ing, and association, and meet one
or more of the National Register
criteria A, B, C, and D.
Determining the significance of
a historic vessel depends on
establishing whether the vessel is 1)
the sole, best, or a good represen-
tative of a specific vessel type; 2) is FIGURE 4: S.S. Tkonderoga, a sidewheel steamer, is now a dry-berthed exhibit displayed on
associated with a significant the land at the Shelburne Museum. (Photo credit: courtesy, Shelburne Museum, Vermont)
Register criteria.
5. Evaluation of the vessel's in-
tegrity and a listing of features that
the vessel should retain to continue
to possess integrity.
6. Evaluation of a vessel's special
characteristics that might qualify
her for National Register listing
even though she might be less than
50 years old or some aspect of her
present condition generally would
not qualify her for listing.

Type and Characteristics


The evaluation should begin
with the compilation of a narrative
description of the vessel. This
description should commence with
a discussion of type, dimensions,
materials, method of construction, FIGURE 5: The deteriorating hulks of the four-masted schooners Hesper, and Luther Little lie
layout, rig, and date of construc- off Wiscasset, Maine. (Photo credit: James P. Delgado, NPS)
tion. "Type of vessel" can mean
many things; for example, a vessel windlass. A capstan was ing New England town of the
could be described by her rig (bark, located aft. Two hatches, fore mid-nineteenth century.
barkentine, schooner, ship) or by and aft of the main
hull form (clipper, "downeaster") deckhouse, opened into the Vessels may be located in a
and materials used in the hull's cargo holds. Amidships, the variety of situations; some may be
construction (steel, iron, wood). main deckhouse supported a afloat or beached on a shoreline;
Vessels are also typed by their small pilot house. Aft, two others may be located in drydock,
trade or occupation (cargo ship, small deckhouses provided artificial mooring basin, or be
container ship, hospital ship, access via circular stairways to displayed on dry land, either in the
freighter). A description of vessel the grand saloon below. The open or under cover.
type should attempt to incorporate sponson decks were set well There are special considerations
all of these aspects. For example, above the water; built on when evaluating a hulk. Descrip-
"As built in 1856, King Philip was a them and into the wheel- tions of hulks, which as a general
wooden-hulled medium clipper; her houses were the heads. rule lack much of their rigging
three masts were bark-rigged." (many are dismasted), and have
The description should also in- The discussion of rig should in- deteriorated to a point where struc-
clude a vessel's registered dimen- clude the number of masts, the tural integrity of the vessel no
sions and tonnage. The citation of materials from which the masts are longer remains, should concentrate
registry information should be as fashioned, the material used in the on a discussion of surviving con-
follows: standing rigging (such as wire or struction and its potential to yield
hemp), and a discussion of any information about the materials and
Baldutha is 256.0 feet long missing spars, if, for example, a methods used in the vessel's
with a beam of 38.6 feet, and ship is missing her topgallant construction.
a depth of hold of 22.7 feet. yards. The description of the vessel
Baldutha is registered at 1835 should include a narrative discus-
gross tons and 1583 net tons. sion of the vessel's setting and Historic Contexts
location. For example: A vessel's significance is based
The description should include on her representation of vessel type
some discussion of the vessel's Charles W. Morgan is moored and her association with significant
method of construction. For exam- in the Mystic River at Chubb's themes in American history and
ple, "Baldutha is of single hull con- Wharf, a stone and earth comparison with similar vessels.
struction with riveted steel plates modern structure built in the The World Ship Trust, in an effort
laid as inner and outer strakes over style of a 19th century New led by historian Norman Brouwer
steel frames." A discussion of the England wharf, at Mystic of New York's South Street Seaport
layout of the deck, including Seaport Museum, a large com- Museum, has published the Inter-
houses, should be included: plex of historic and reproduc- national Register of Historic Ships,
Tennessee's elevated forecastle tion buildings and structures an inventory of known historic
deck mounted a pump-break which interpret life in a seafar- vessels in the world. A con-
siderable portion of the book is steam technology, however, then a In analyzing a 19th century Pacific
dedicated to vessels in the United discussion of local steamboating Coast schooner, a researcher would
States. This inventory should be would be essential. look for an emphasis on Douglas fir
consulted early in the evaluative The State Historic Preservation timbering, heavily-fastened "over-
process. Officer should be consulted before built" construction, lumber loading
The evaluation of a vessel must beginning work to determine if the ports in the stern, a beamy,
include thorough historical research State has information which will shallow hull form, and a fore-and-
into a vessel's construction, assist in the evaluation of the aft rig. A vessel largely rebuilt
owners, and career. Rather than vessel. Local and regional maritime through the years without attention
offering a chronological discussion museums, the Council of American to preserving the original design
of a vessel's career, the historical Maritime Museums, the Depart- features (such as hull form, original
narrative should be organized into ment of Maritime Preservation at materials, method of construction,
specific context statements which the National Trust for Historic and, to a lesser degree of impor-
specify a vessel's place in the Preservation, the National Maritime tance, rig) that is not readily iden-
development of American maritime Historical Society, the Steamship tifiable would not be a good
trade, naval power, recreation, Historical Society of America, the representative of her type. For ex-
government use, commerce, or North American Society for Oceanic ample, the best representatives of
various designs of waterborne craft. History, Great Lakes Association World War II naval vessels would
Specific historic contexts may for Maritime History, American be warships unaltered in hull form,
include a vessel's involvement in Canal Society, the World Ship layout, equipment, and armament.
the Pacific Coast lumber trade, a Trust, and other maritime historical
vessel's role in the packet trade, or and/or preservation organizations
how a particular vessel's design fit and professionals also should be Significance
into the development of Great consulted because one of these
Lakes bulk ore carriers. The organizations may have already To be eligible for the National
significance statement should be researched a vessel's career or Register of Historic Places, a vessel
concise and well-developed. The evaluated her significance. A direc- must be significant in American
amount of information presented in tory listing, including address and history, architecture, archeology,
the nomination will vary according telephone number, of these and engineering, or culture, and
to the vessel's significance to the hundreds of such groups is possess integrity of location,
local community, State, or the available from the Maritime Preser- design, setting, materials,
Nation. It is not necessary to vation Department of the National workmanship, feeling, and associa-
discuss the development of local Trust for Historic Preservation. tion. To be considered significant
steamboats, for example, when the vessel must meet one or more
discussing a steamer significant in Representative of a Type of the four National Register
the national development of marine criteria:
steam technology. If the steamer A vessel must possess certain
has no demonstrated or outstand- features to be a good representative A. be associated with events
ing importance in the national or of her type, period, or method of that have made a signifi-
statewide development of marine construction. These features vary. cant contribution to the
broad patterns of our
history; or
B. be associated with the lives
of persons significant in
our past; or
C. embody the distinctive
characteristics of a type,
period, or method of con-
struction, or that represent
the work of a master, or
that possess high artistic
values, or that represent a
significant and
distinguishable entity
whose components may
lack individual distinction;
FIGURE 6: The wreck of the 1856 ship King
Philip lies on the beach at San Francisco,
California. Periodically exposed by winter
storms, her remains are being documented
by National Park Service archeologists.
(Photo credit: Richard Frear, NPS)
or
D. have yielded, or may be
likely to yield, information
important in prehistory or
history.
Under Criterion A, association
with "events that have made a
significant contribution to the broad
patterns of history," a vessel may
qualify for listing in the National
Register through her association
with historic themes. Applicable
areas of significance (listed in
Bulletin 16) would include the ob-
vious "maritime" theme and
several other "catch-all" categories.
Therefore, historical information
must be provided to explain the
significance of the vessel. Common
areas of significance to consider
are:

1. AGRICULTURE: Vessels en-


gaged in agricultural trade and
commerce, such as vessels
which transported produce to
market. FIGURE 7: The wreck of the passenger/package freighter Monarch, built in 1890 and
wrecked in 1906, lies on the bottom of Lake Superior inside Isle Royale National Park. A
National Park Service diver is shown inspecting the wreck as part of a project to document
2. COMMERCE: Merchant Isle Royale submerged wrecks by the National Park Service's Submerged Cultural
vessels which were involved in Resources Unit. (Photo credit: Larry Murphy, NPS)
maritime trade and commercial
activities; vessels which also 6. GOVERNMENT: Lightships, 11. MILITARY: Naval warships
carried passengers could dredges, snagboats, survey and other vessels, military
possess significance in the area boats, and similar vessels of a transports, and support craft.
of Transportation. non-military nature.
12. RECREATION/ENTER-
3. COMMUNICATIONS: Vessels 7. INDUSTRY: Vessels associated TAINMENT: Yachts, racing
engaged in telegraph and with industrial enterprises, boats, or house boats used for
telephone cable laying opera- such as Great Lakes ore- the practice of leisure
tions, and pioneer ship-to- carrying freighters and Alaskan activities, diversion, amuse-
shore, or ship-to-ship wireless fishing boats. ment, or sport.
transmissions.
8. INVENTION: Vessels which 13. SCIENCE: Vessels on which
4. ENGINEERING: Vessels im- were the result of a scientific significant scientific experimen-
portant for technological process of experimentation, tation or other research was
developments in hull form, such as John Ericsson's "hot- conducted, such as the barken-
propulsion systems, and ship- air" propelled Caloric Ship tine Galilee's use as a magnetic
board equipment. Ericcson of 1854. charting vessel by the Carnegie
Institute in 1901.
5. EXPLORATION/SETTLE- 9. LAW: Vessels involved in
MENT: Vessels involved in ex- landmark legal cases which 14. SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN:
ploration and the expansion of established tenets of admiralty Hospital ships, vessels in-
the Nation, such as river law or seamen's right. volved in rescuing life and
steamers which carried sup- property from maritime
plies to frontier settlements on 10. LITERATURE: Vessels disasters and life-saving craft
rivers in the Midwest, Old associated with noted authors such as a Francis lifeboat or a
Northwest, Great Lakes or poets, such as Equator, United States Life-Saving Serv-
region, and Alaska, or vessels which was chartered for a ice surfboat.
used in Arctic or Antarctic South Seas cruise by Robert
exploration. Louis Stevenson. 15. THEATER: Showboats, movie
ships, and vessels used in or nationally, regionally, or lo- sion (such as paddlewheels
modified for the filming of mo- cally important naval architects and all types of propellers) as
tion pictures. and shipwrights may be eligi- representatives of their type.
ble for the National Register. The 1891 ferryboat Eureka, at
16. TRANSPORTATION: Ferry the National Maritime Museum
boats and vessels engaged in 2. ART: Many sail and steam in San Francisco, is nationally
the transportation of vessels had distinguished significant because she has the
passengers; vessels which car- accommodations, sometimes only operable, 19th century
ried cargo could also possess executed in luxurious taste, walking beam marine steam
significance in the area of which set them apart from the engine afloat. The engine and
Commerce. utilitarian "working" areas of boiler work of renowned
the vessel. These design marine engineering firms, such
Under Criterion B, association features, ship-board decora- as New York's Novelty Iron
with "persons significant in our tions, figureheads, joiner's Works, Maine's Bath Iron
past," a vessel will possess work, cabin interiors, and Works, and San Francisco's
significance if a historically signifi- saloons, particularly on river Union Iron Works may impart
cant person's importance is tied steamers, ferries, and certain significance to a vessel.
directly to the vessel, such as Ad- oceanic passenger steamers,
miral Dewey's association with could qualify the vessel for in-
U.S.S. Olympia. Applicable themes Under Criterion D, a vessel is
clusion in the National significant if she has yielded or is
under criterion B may include Register.
numbers 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 14 likely to yield information impor-
above. tant to history, i.e., the physical
3. ENGINEERING: Vessels may characteristics (or remains) of the
Under Criterion C, a vessel be significant because of their vessel provide important informa-
possesses significance if she em- design, propulsion systems, tion about her use, method of con-
bodies "the distinctive charac- struction, and operation. A vessel
teristics of a type, period, or specific types of marine
engines, and modes of propul- need not be wrecked or an ar-
method of construction, or
represents the work of a master, FIGURE 8: The yacht Doris sails on the Massachusetts coast, circa 1905. (Photo credit: Hart
possesses high artistic values, or Nautical Collections, MIT Museum)
represents a signficant and
distinguishable entity whose com-
ponents may lack individual
distinction." Vessels are usually
found to be eligible for the National
Register listing within the following
categories:

1. ARCHITECTURE: A vessel
that is a good representative of
a specific type of naval Ik. m
architecture such as Pacific
Coast lumber schooner like the
C.A. Thayer or is the only
representative of the type,
such as the Great Lakes
whaleback Meteor. A vessel
Mm
may also possess significance if
she is a good example of a

A
naval architect's work,
"representing the work of a
master." Naval architects of
national signficance in the 19th
century include Isaac Webb,
Donald McKay, William H.
Webb, and John W. Griffiths.
Naval architects of national
note in the 20th century in-
clude Francis Herreshoff and
William Francis Gibbs.
Examples of the work of any
of these men, as well as other
cheological site to qualify under tegrity through seven aspects, or When changes to a vessel are in
criterion D, but this is its most qualities: location, design, setting, the form of renewal and replace-
common application. materials, workmanship, feeling, ment, either to continue operation
Section 8 of the nomination and association. historically or to perform a restora-
must address the period of tion, the structure will remain eligi-
significance of which a vessel Location ble if renewed features are replaced
achieved her importance and meets The National Register con- with materials, which in their com-
National Register criteria. There are sideration of "integrity of location" position, design, color, texture, and
blanks on the forms where the should be construed to mean that a workmanship retain the historic
dates for the period of time the vessel is located in a port or other character of the vessel. These
vessel achieved significance are location with which the vessel changes do not affect a vessel's
entered. Enter the most specific historically had some association, integrity.
dates known. If a vessel's sig- such as a port of construction, or a The noted maritime historian,
nificance occurred in one year, as port of call. Location should not be Allan Villiers, once observed that
for a shipwreck associated with an confused with integrity of setting, historic vessels maintained and/or
important sea battle, enter that which generally means that a vessel operated in the water ultimately
single year. If a vessel achieved is maintained in the water. How- become reconstructions or wrecks.
significance for several distinct ever, it is recognized that preserva- While historic structures and
periods of time, enter each period tion of a vessel's original fabric may buildings on land also deteriorate
on a separate line in the order of compel the removal of the vessel and require maintenance and
importance. Avoid including dates from the water. This issue will be replacement of original fabric, the
of less than 50 years, unless these examined in the discussion of corrosive nature of the marine en-
events and associations can be integrity of setting. vironment greatly accelerates the
justified as having exceptional process. Any historic vessel main-
historical importance. Continuous Design tained in the water will ultimately
function does not indicate the con- lose all of her original fabric. U.S.S.
tinuation of the period of A vessel, like any other struc- Constitution, now berthed at
significance. The nomination must ture, changes with time. Vessels Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston,
discuss significant events or may be lengthened, deckhouses retains as little as 10 to 23 percent
associations that occurred during added or removed, and interior of the wood that was in the frigate
each period of significance in the spaces modified for new uses. when launched in 1797 or when
narrative. Changes which occur over time, she earned her reputation as "Old
particularly those associated with a Ironsides." Yet this is largely in-
Integrity shift to different owners or trades, distinguishable because of attention
if those owners or trades are to maintaining historic materials
The National Register tradi- historically significant, acquire and workmanship during her many
tionally recognizes a property's in- significance in their own right. restorations. These increasingly
restored historic vessels retain their
integrity in those cases when in-
tegrity as evidenced by hull form,
rig, use of materials, or craftsman-
ship is maintained. It is important
to retain original fabric though, for
the greater the amount of historic
fabric, the greater the quality of in-
tegrity for the vessel.

Setting
Integrity of setting usually
means that a vessel is maintained
in the water. National Register
guidelines generally rule that
vessels out of water, particularly if
in an enclosed structure, were in-
eligible for National Register listing
unless they were in a "natural"
waterfront setting, such as in a
dry dock. Yet limiting the National
Register only to vessels maintained
FIGURE 9: The Jersey Schooner-Oyster Dredge Boat Katheryn M. Lee continues to work
afloat or in the open air ultimately
actively in her historic trade at Liepsic, Delaware. (Photo credit: Stephen Del Sordo) dooms original fabric. In some
Workmanship
Integrity of workmanship is
maintained when materials are
renewed in-kind. When original but
deteriorated riveted iron hull plates
are replaced, integrity of workman-
ship is maintained when the new
iron plates are also riveted. Double
sawn timber frames should be
replaced with double sawn timber
frames to maintain integrity of
workmanship.
Feeling
Integrity of feeling means that the
vessel evokes an aesthetic or
historic sense of the past. Usually
this depends on the presence of the
vessel's significant physical
characteristics to convey her historic
qualities. However, it must be
recognized that extreme deteriora-
tion of a vessel, such as major rot
and inherent structural collapse,
would not interfere with the ability
of the vessel to yield important
information through analysis of her
construction and career, and she
would possess archeological integ-
rity and be eligible under
Criterion D.
Association
A period or accurate waterfront
setting for a historic vessel is
desirable and adds to the integrity
of setting for the vessel. A vessel
loses her integrity of association if
FIGURE 10: An in-kind historic restoration of the whaler Charles W. Morgan at Mystic
she is removed from the water and
Seaport Museum. Here shipwrights are driving a drift into a breasthook. (Photo credit: displayed out of sight of the water,
Mary Anne Stets, courtesy Mystic Seaport Museum) such as a 19th century schooner
placed on a lawn, surrounded by a
cases, the preservation of that historic design and construction chain-link fence, in front of a
fabric may be essential. Craftsman- have been maintained. For exam- factory.
ship cannot be replaced, nor ple, integrity of materials would be
archeologically recovered. Fragile retained when a vessel's steel The Need for Special
intact vessels can only be preserved plates are replaced in-kind with
"under glass." To preserve historic steel plates, oak planks are replaced Justification
fabric in rare vessels, integrity of in-kind with oak planks, copper
setting will be maintained if the sheathing is replaced in-kind with Certain types of historic vessels
craft is associated with the water by copper sheathing, and tarred hemp as a general rule do not qualify for
means of a waterfront location. standing rigging is replaced in-kind the National Register. These would
This setting must not detract from with tarred hemp standing rigging. be 1) vessels less than 50 years of
appreciating the vessel as a water- This is not to suggest that failure to age, 2) vessels owned by religious
borne craft or present her as a follow strict in-kind replacement institutions and used for religious
museum object. could keep a vessel from being purposes, 3) replica vessels, and
listed on the National Register. 4) collections of vessels. However,
Materials Modern materials for patching and these properties may qualify for
Integrity of materials means repair, such as epoxies and National Register listing if they
that the physical elements that fiberglass, may be necessary to meet the criteria and meet the
were combined in the vessel's preserve a vessel. following exceptions:
1. A vessel achieving significance part of an overall restoration meet the special justification
within the past fifty years if plan for the entire resource. discussed above.
she is of exceptional sig- For example, a replica craft 4. Small craft and larger vessels
nificance. (A vessel must be may be eligible as part of a in collections may be indi-
compared with other vessels of restoration master plan for a vidually eligible if they retain
her type that have similar 19th century ferry landing integrity of setting. Collections
associations and qualities to historic district, which includes of vessels are not eligible for
establish exceptional authentic historic properties, the National Register. (In ex-
significance, or be associated such as landings, docks, and ceptional cases, vessels may
with important but recent associated commercial have collective historic
themes or developments which buildings. In this case, the significance when they are ex-
scholarly or professional replicated craft may be essen- hibited in an appropriate set-
research has recognized as tial to convey the transporta- ting, such as the vessels at the
significant to the maritime tion significance of the Mystic Seaport Museum. This
trades or naval architecture district). museum collection, founded in
and engineering. Vessels con- Individual replica vessels are 1929, has historic significance
sidered eligible under these not eligible for the National for its associations with the
circumstances include N.S. Register of Historic Places development of the American
Savannah, (1950) the first because they are not authentic historic preservation movement
nuclear-powered merchant historic resources. A replica and represents a landmark in
ship built in the United States, vessel is a modern vessel early twentieth century
and the nuclear submarine which recreates either a maritime preservation.)
U.S.S. Nautilus, the first sub- specific vessel or a class or
marine to navigate the seas type of vessels. After the
under the ice pack of the passage of fifty years, a replica Preparing the National
North Pole. Other vessels less vessel may attain significance Register Nomination
than fifty years of age that the in her own right as a product
National Register currently of one generation's perception While basic instructions for
accepts as being eligible are of its maritime history. In this completing nominations are found
vessels which played an im- case it may be possible for a in National Register Bulletin 16,
portant role in World War II). replica to qualify on that basis "Guidelines for Completing
2. A vessel owned by religious under Criterion A, B, C or D. National Register of Historic Places
institutions and used for If a replica vessel has achieved Forms," several sections of the
religious purposes may be significance within the last fifty form will require the specialized in-
eligible if her primary years, she will be required to formation provided in the following
significance is derived from
naval architecture (Criterion C
and/or D) or historical impor-
tance (Criterion A).
3. In rare instances, replica
vessels can be a contributing
component of a National
Register property if: 1) the
replication is based on schol-
arly analysis of graphic, writ-
ten, and archeological sources;
2) the vessel's construction is
accurately executed, using
appropriate period materials
and construction techniques; 3)
the replica vessel is presented
in a historically appropriate
manner as a part of a restora-
tion master plan; 4) no other
vessel with the same associa-
tions has suvived. (Being part
of a restoration plan means
that the replica is an essential
component in a group of
historic properties which
together constitute a historic FIGURE 11: Stairway and stateroom hall on board the S.S. Ticonderoga. (Photo credit:
district. The replica must be courtesy, Shelburne Museum, Vermont)

10
guidelines. For the purposes of the
National Register, vessels are
classified as "structures" because
they are made up of interdepen-
dent and interrelated parts in a
definite pattern of organization. In
the past, the National Register has
accepted vessels categorized as ob-
jects, but during the preparation of
this bulletin, it was determined that
a vessel better fits the National
Register definition of "structure."
The number and combination of
characteristic features required for
National Register eligibility will
vary from property to property. In
some cases, a vessel need only
possess a single quality or
characteristic to be eligible. If a
vessel is not individually eligible for
the National Register, she may still
be eligible as a contributing compo-
nent of a historic district. For exam-
ple, historic life boats may not be
individually eligible, but they could
contribute to a Coast Guard station
historic district.
When she is registered, the
legal description of a vessel can be FIGURE 12: Lifeboat on board the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien. (Photo credit: Joanie Morgan)
her merchant or naval registry. For
active vessels still registered by the Norman Brouwer and his associates The International Congress of
United States Coast Guard, citation for the World Ship Trust. Maritime Museums Historic Ship
of the current Consolidated Enroll- Brouwer's International Register of Evaluation Progam assesses vessel
ment and License, with the office Historic Ships is a good place to structure along with historic
address of the applicable Coast start the research. The book is con- significance and preservation con-
Guard District, will suffice. For stantly being updated and revisions siderations. The ICMM evaluation
merchant vessels no longer may be obtained from the National seeks descriptions of primary struc-
registered, the former enrollments Maritime Historical Society. The tural material members. Not all
and registries will be found in the Historic Ship Register of the Inter- structural members listed by ICMM
National Archives. They can be ob- national Congress of Maritime require discussion in a National
tained by supplying the name of Museums (ICMM) is another logical Register nomination; essential
the vessel, the date of construction, place to look. Some vessels may features such as the keel, keelson,
and the port of construction to the have been surveyed during local or frames, reinforcing members, hull
Judicial, Fiscal, and Social Branch statewide heritage inventories. planking or plating, fastenings,
of the National Archives in Shipwrecks may be listed in State decking, masts, rigging, deck fur-
Washington, D.C. National Ar- archeological inventories. niture, interior spaces, including
chives staff will locate all registry In the narrative Description and joinery, deck machinery, armament,
and enrollment documents for the Significance portions of the decorations, coating and
vessel and will provide photocopies nomination form, it is important to sheathings, boats, and tackle—all of
for a fee. Citation of the last docu- develop fully the information and these need to be described and
ment issued to the vessel will suf- analyses conducted in the evalua- assessed with comments in each
fice for the vessel's legal descrip- tion process. It is important to be case on original material, deteriora-
tion. For naval vessels, the registra- concise. In the Description section, tion, adherence to original con-
tion data are at the Ships History the integrity of the vessel needs to figuration, and impacts by previous
Division. The annual publication be thoroughly documented, dis- restoration, repair, or alteration.
listing Vessels of the United States cussing original form, materials, Alterations need to be dis-
(1869 to the present), Lloyd's workmanship, and any changes. cussed and assessed in relation to a
Register, and other classification The National Register currently re- historically significant context. If a
society registers also provide a legal quires a detailed architectural vessel was built for a specific use—
description. Nearly every floating, description for nominated buildings the grain trade, for example—and
preserved historic vessel in the and structures. A comparable level then altered for another historic
United States has been surveyed by of detail is required for vessels. purpose—such as fishing—these

li
FIGURE 13: Builder's plate in the engine
room of the 1908 steam screw tugboat Her-
cules. (Photo credit: Stephen A. Haller, NPS)

tions of source materials is


desirable but not required.
To aid in the National Register
assessment of significance and in-
tegrity, good illustrative views of
the vessel, her rig, her charac-
teristic and significant design
features, and alterations need to be
documented with individual
photographs. Instead of a site map,
as is the case with land-base prop-
erties, deck plans, inboard profiles,
lines, and rigging plan should be
included, if available. A USGS map
locating the vessel in a city or other
geographical unit, with Universal
Transverse Mercator coordinates
marked, must be included. If a
vessel is engaged in active sailing,
her regular mooring at the home
changes would be significant and
would not have an adverse effect
on the integrity of a vessel. On the
other hand, if a vessel has been
changed for a later non-significant
career, then those changes repre-
sent a loss of integrity. It is impor-
tant to remember that integrity is
not always construed as "as built."
In discussing significance, it is
essential to link the vessel to inter-
national, national, regional, or local
historic contexts. It is also impor-
tant to convey the vessel's par-
ticipation in specific historical
events and to discuss the vessel's
important changes in design, such
as alterations to the hull or propul-
sion systems and to use this infor-
mation in the evaluation of historic
integrity. If applicable, a vessel's
association with significant in-
dividuals, including builders,
masters, officers, crew, owners, or
passengers should be discussed. An
assessment of the vessel's relation
to similar properties is needed. Is
she a sole survivor? Is she
representative of a type? Is she the
best example of a type? Statements
of significance should be derived
from primary sources and scholarly
secondary historical assessments.
Thorough historical research is
recommended in preparing a Na-
tional Register form so that the best FIGURE 14: The assembly of instruments in the pilothouse of the S.S. Clipper represent the
available information is analyzed various navigational technologies used on the vessel during her career. Documentation of a
vessel for the National Register should include views which interpret changes or altera-
and presented. Footnotes for cita- tions. (Photo credit: Harry Weese and Associates)

12
port should be the location cited
and marked.
Major bibliographic references
should include sources referred to
in the evaluation process as well as
sources cited. The reference should
be organized alphabetically, in
categories such as manuscripts,
published works, plans, and
historic photographs and other
graphics. The boundary of the
vessel should be all of that area
enclosed within her extreme dimen-
sions. It is the vessel that is being
nominated, not the water or land
that surrounds her. A boundary
description for a vessel usually
refers to the area enclosed by the
vessel's extreme dimensions, for ex-
ample: "The Showboat Jimmy 80' x
40' at permanent berth at Pier 56."
Acreage should be given as less
than one.
FIGURE 15: Significant historical events that occur on board a vessel should be
documented. In this view, sailors on board the U.S.S. Intrepid battle a shipboard fire on the
flight deck off Luzon, the Philippines, on November 25, 1944. (Photo credit: National
Field Work, Research, and Archives)
Documentation Techniques
such as lines, profiles, deck plans, various American ports were com-
Field Work sail plans, scantlings, engine, piled by the Works Progress Ad-
boiler, and machinery plans. Half- ministration and the National Ar-
Adequate field examination of a models and builder's models chives. Consultation of these lists,
vessel may involve more than one should be consulted. If extant, particularly for the port of New
visit to acquire a thorough under- builder's models may aid in identi- York, will provide a necessary lead
standing of the vessel's construc- fying original features no longer in beginning to research these
tion, layout, rig, and machinery. If present or modified. Historic photo- vessel "titles." Lloyd's of London
evaluating a property for the first graphs, lithographs, and drawings possesses detailed descriptions of
time, it is essential that a guided of the vessel, particularly including vessels surveyed by Lloyd's for cer-
tour of the vessel, with discussions views of the vessel under construc- tification, and the National Mari-
emphasizing condition, restoration tion, deck views, and overall views, time Museum, Greenwich, England,
or maintenance work, and the may be helpful in assessing method is also a vital source for English
vessel's history, be provided by of construction and features of the vessels lost in American waters.
knowledgeable individuals intimate- vessel. Local newspapers may have Logbooks, journals, and letters
ly associated with the vessel. Tours references to a vessel's launch and written on board the vessel may
of engine rooms and other machin- discuss her particulars. Various provide physical descriptions and
ery spaces should be discussed vessel types, machinery, and some document details of her career.
with a marine engineer. The specific vessels may also be dis- Local newspapers may include
method of construction should be cussed and described in various discussions of sailings, accidents,
derived from discussions with a professional journals such as that of and marine disasters. Contem-
naval architect. The field examina- the Society of Naval Architects and porary accounts of a vessel's career
tion of the vessel should be a slow, Marine Engineers. also can be found in the annual
meticulous process which leaves The registry and enrollment reports of the United States Life-
the evaluator with as complete an papers provide the dimensions of Saving Service (published between
understanding as possible of how the vessel, tonnage, the number of 1878 and 1915). Insights into a
the vessel was built, operated, masts, and the type of bow and vessel's history also can be gained
modified, and maintained through stern decoration for American through researching owners' names
time. vessels. A run of these documents listed in the registries and
may provide evidence of alteration enrollments. A variety of secondary
Research or change. Summaries of this infor- source works which assess local,
mation can be found in the annual regional, and national maritime
Historical research should in- List of American Merchant Vessels history may discuss a vessel and
clude the examination of any extant of the United States. Lists of her career. Especially valuable are
drawings or plans of the vessel, vessels registered or enrolled at articles that are found in historical

13
NORTH CAROLINA as outfitted during her overhaul USS NORTH CAROLINA (BBSS)
Sound Navy Yard, July-October 19U-

FIGURE 16: Documentation of a vessel plans do not exist, modern plans of also appear as discrete elements of
should include a plan, if available. This is the vessel might be prepared. This hull, machinery, artifacts, or other
the outboard profile and deck plan of
U.S.S. North Carolina as outfitted. (Photo is highly desired but is not required remains, widely separated with lit-
credit: U.S.S. NORTH CAROLINA for nominations. tle or no continuity, or as a single
Battleship Commission, drawing by Alan B. representative item. In this in-
Chesley) SECTION TWO: stance, they compare most closely
DOCUMENTATION OF to objects or artifacts.
society and maritime museum quar- SHIPWRECK It should be noted, however,
terlies, such as the American Nep- that for review purposes the Na-
tune, Steamboat Bill, Sea History, NOMINATIONS tional Register views each of the
Inland Seas, Waterways Journal, or above site manifestations as arche-
the Mariner's Mirror. A recom- This section of the bulletin ad- ological sites. Further, if these
mended bibliography can be found dresses the evaluation and nomina- remains have been purposefully
at the end of the bulletin. tion of shipwrecks. A shipwreck is moved to another location (e.g.,
any vessel that has foundered, museum display or wharfside inter-
Documentation stranded, or wrecked. This includes pretive site), they are no longer
vessels that exist as intact or scat- considered archeological sites by
As the field work and research tered components on or in the sea the National Register. The
progresses, files of notes, sketches, bed, lake bed, river bed, mud flats, documentation and evaluation of
reproduced reference materials, and beaches, or other shorelines. significance for each of the above
photographs should be compiled. If The unique nature of ship- examples (i.e., an archeological site
a vessel has changed over time, a wrecks has resulted in uneven and or a structure) requires a different
chronologically arranged series of contradictory treatment of this class research approach. Clearly the
plans or photographs may aid in of resource by historians and arche- research orientation, methods, and
understanding these alterations. ologists. The National Register types of data collected may differ
Color slides of the vessel may aid categorizes all submerged cultural based on the degree of wreck
later when the nomination is being resources as either sites or struc- preservation or dispersal. While the
prepared and a site visit is not tures; shipwrecks may fit either of individual historian or archeologist
possible. these categories. Vessels may ap- may have a clear understanding of
Numerous black and white pho- pear in the material record as most- the research questions and data
tographs of the vessel and her ly intact hulls. In this instance they gathering technologies necessary to
features should be taken. The quali- are historic structures. Vessels may document these sites, the applica-
ty of the photographs actually in- also appear as broken or scattered tion of the National Register criteria
cluded in the nomination form will sections of a structure with local- to shipwrecks has not been well-
benefit from as wide a selection as ized deposition of apparel, arma- defined or understood.
possible. Exemplary historic photo- ment, cargo, and other artifacts, or The study of shipwrecks may
graphs and other graphics should other remains, widely separated pose difficulties not encountered in
be reproduced for inclusion with with little or no continuity, or as a the study of land-based sites. These
the nomination. Historic plans single representative item. In this difficulties result from environmen-
should be included to aid in instance, they compare most closely tal conditions (e.g., currents, cold,
documenting the vessel. If historic to archeological sites. Vessels may depth, turbidity), research time

14
constraints, and the degree to
which remains may be encrusted or
buried. Further, simply because
many shipwreck sites are under-
water, they are unavailable to other
interested, but non-diving
researchers.
Because of the above difficul-
ties, nomination of shipwreck sites
requires particular attention to
detail and approach. Clarity and
specificity throughout the nomina-
tion are essential. Lack of clarity
and specificity are at the crux of the
past problems with shipwreck nom-
inations.
Several factors must be ad-
dressed during the preparation of
shipwreck nominations. Arche-
ologists, historians, and interested
individuals may be unfamiliar with
the application of National Register
conceptual and technical concerns
critical for determinations of
significance for this class of
resource. These concerns fall in the
general areas of description,
significance, and geographical data.
Specifically, they are: a) description
including historic and present site
description, natural and cultural
post-depositional impacts, and
description of loss or wreck event;
b) significance including the direct
application of National Register
criteria, context, and integrity; and
c) geographical data, including
boundary justification and verbal
description. Each of the above can
be addressed in the entry categories
of the National Register form. FIGURE 17: Features particularly significant to a vessel should be documented in the Na-
The following discussion of tional Register nomination. The filter cover had been removed by the crew of the German
U-boat U-505 when they scuttled their ship to prevent its capture. An American boarding
environmental categories and con- party bravely risked their lives to close this cover on June 4, 1944. U-505 was the only Ger-
cerns is a guideline for the prep- man U-boat captured by the United States during World War II and is now on display at
aration of National Register the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. (Photo credit: courtesy, Museum of Science
nominations of shipwrecks. and Industry, Chicago)

1. DESCRIPTION
George M. Cox was built in was 233 feet long, 40 feet
Shipwrecks exist in environ- 1901 in Toledo, Ohio, at the wide, and 21.9 feet deep. She
mental conditions that at times Craig Shipbuilding Company. now lies broken and scattered
make various forms of documenta- Hull number 82 was originally in a shallow, gravel lined gul-
tion difficult. Nonetheless, nomina- consigned to the Holland and ly and on an adjacent slope,
tions should draw from all available Chicago Steamship Company. separated by a reef southwest
descriptive information and should However, the vessel was pur- of Rock of Ages at the western
be as explicit as possible. chased by Graham and Mor- end of Isle Roy ale.
The description section should ton Transportation Company,
open with a summary paragraph named Puritan, and given US The description discussion
which includes brief background in- registry number 150898. Based should consist of two parts: an
formation about the vessel, her out of Chicago and used pri- original (historical) description and
general characteristics, present loca- marily in the excursion trade a present (archeological) site
tion, and condition. For example: on Lake Michigan, the vessel description. The historical descrip-

15
tion should discuss the vessel prior osition. Environmental impacts may and artifacts, stratigraphic profiles,
to her loss or what is known as the include erosion, slumping, silt dep- and historic views or plans of the
wreck event (primary deposition). If osition, storm activity, encrustation, vessel. In those situations where
the vessel identity is known, the and deterioration of the vessel, her photography is not possible, i.e.,
description should include the fabric, or other material remains. extremely turbid water, the Na-
characteristics of the vessel as a Human impacts may include con- tional Register will still accept
floating entity including, but not temporary or recent salvage, dredg- nominations. However, a complete
limited to, as-built and modified ing, looting, or vandalism, as well explanation of the circumstances
characteristics. If the vessel identity as archeological investigations and and water conditions preventing
is not known, the type, period, collections. The effect of these post- photography must accompany the
general characteristics, nationality, depositional impacts must be de- documentation.
and function should be described. scribed and discussed.
The archeological site descrip- A narrative of the events lead- 2. SIGNIFICANCE
tion must include a discussion of all ing up to and including the loss of
exposed and identifiable features, the vessel or the wreck event will The significance section should
artifacts, machinery, and architec- also be helpful. The discussion may open with a summary paragraph
tural components. These should be be used to explain partially the clearly stating the areas of vessel
explicitly documented and de- nature of site deposition and the significance, the National Register
scribed. The description should also extent of human impacts to the criteria used for evaluation, and
consider buried features and arti- vessel while in a transition period, how these criteria apply to the
facts. If buried materials are to be prior to human abandonment and vessel. The summary should be a
addressed in the nomination, they up to its equilibration with the en- concise statement of facts, or sup-
should be documented through vironment. If the events sur- portable hypotheses, which address
testing or remote sensing and the rounding the loss of the vessel con- anthropological research issues,
data that were generated should be tribute to the significance of the followed by documentation that ad-
discussed. When exposed material site, they should appear in that dresses each of the areas of
remains allow for reasonable in- section. significance and demonstrates the
ference concerning the nature of Graphic documentation is an applicability of the criteria selected.
buried features, the information or essential element of a well-prepared Shipwrecks may be nominated
data used to determine the nature, nomination. Nominations must in- using any or all of the National
extent, and potential significance of clude a plan view site map. Other Register criteria as discussed in Sec-
the buried remains must be clearly graphic documentation could in- tion 1 of this bulletin. The appli-
presented. clude: contoured magnetometer cation of National Register criteria
Environmental and human im- data, side-scan sonar images, determines the significance of a
pacts will affect a shipwreck site photographs and/or drawings of shipwreck, which is partially de-
during and after archeological dep- diagnostic or significant features rived from an understanding of the
overall cultural context and the
specific role of the vessel and her
FIGURE 18: Operator's flat in the engine room of S.S. Eureka. The 1891 walking beam
steam marine engine on board Eureka is the only operable 19th century walking beam component elements within that
engine afloat in America. (Photo credit: Edward de St. Maurice, NPS) context. The context statement nor-
mally addresses two aspects of
vessel significance. The first is the
historical overview of that class of
vessel, her function, role, and con-
tribution to national, regional, or
local maritime history, technology,
commerce, or similar topics. This
information is to be used in con-
junction with the second aspect of
context: an assessment of the
nominated vessel's specific role in
history. The nominated vessel's
role and function can be docu-
mented using categories, such as:
1) naval architecture
2) marine technology
3) engineering
4) commerce
5) transportation
6) exploration/settlement or
7) military

16
FIGURE 19: A number of historic vessels It may also be applied to scattered ing, or other technological aspects;
remain in operation around the United or broken remains, if data can be or discussion of the spatial relation-
States. The last unaltered World War II
Liberty Ship, Jermiah O'Brien, makes an generated that will permit the ship with similar significant re-
annual memorial cruise on San Francisco development of anthropological in- mains; and a discussion of eligibil-
Bay. (Photo credit: Donald Kearns) ferences and/or the formulation of ity or significance.
testable research questions. Arti-
facts, soil stains, or casts of material 3. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA
If the vessel identity is known, and remains (resulting from encrusta-
this information is used to establish tion and later deterioration of the General guidelines for verbal
context and/or role, her identifica- artifact) may also contribute to boundary descriptions are provided
tion must be documented beyond integrity. in National Register Bulletins 12
reasonable doubt. and 16; those guidelines should be
Context statements may also Intensive salvage, looting, or applied to shipwreck sites. The
address anthropological and ar- the collection of artifacts, does not purpose of a verbal boundary
cheological perspectives. These can necessarily compromise integrity. description is to describe both the
include: patterns of activity; con- Instead, these activities may change location and the physical extent of
temporary cultural milieu and its either the focus of research or the the nominated site. The open ocean
effect on the role, function, or National Register criteria to be ap- or lake, however, can present a
physical manifestation of the vessel plied. In the event of salvage, problem in the description of a
as a floating entity; the range of looting, or vandalism, the site's re- shipwreck site location because
variability within a class of vessel; maining research value must be there may be no readily identifiable
or similar topics, if they can be demonstrated. If artifact association landmarks or reference points. As a
clearly demonstrated to contribute with the site can be authenticated, result a somewhat different ap-
to context. collections from the site may be proach from that normally used for
used to aid in establishing the re- locating a terrestrial site is needed
Most importantly context state- maining research potential of the
ments must be confined to salient for the description of a shipwreck
shipwreck. location. Relocation of the vessel
points relating to historic and ar-
cheological contexts. They should Isolated structural components, either on a nautical chart, USGS
not become an indiscriminate listing or other widely dispersed remains map, or on-the-water should be
of facts. scattered on a coast line or sea bed, possible from the information
Shipwreck integrity is not may also possess integrity. Suffi- provided.
limited to the survival of intact cient diagnostic attributes must be Four elements can be combined
hulls. Integrity may also extend to present to permit identification of to create an accurate verbal bound-
a structure that exists in sufficient the vessel type and historical con- ary description for National
form to address architectural, text or discussion of significant con- Register forms. They are: 1) a
technological, and other concerns. struction details, marine engineer- general verbal description of the

17
degrees true from the port-
hand can buoy (C5) between
Barnum and Booth Islands.
The vessel is marked by a
privately maintained port-
hand navigation buoy in
North Gap channel. America
can be located in the channel
by rounding the tip of Thomp-
son Island, entering Washing-
ton Harbor, using the white
beacon on Thompson as a
point of reference on a true
bearing of 119 degrees and
traveling a distance of 0.2
statute miles.

UTM coordinates should


enclose all sites following standard
National Register guidelines out-
MONARCH 189O
MUHMMMl
1SOS
LM «#1 lined in Bulletins 12 and 16. If
MEB CIATUUL WKUHff ^T
UTMs are not available, longitude
and latitude or Loran C coordinates
FIGURE 20: Site plan for the wreck of the Monarch, Isle Royale National Park, Michigan. are acceptable.
(Photo credit: Submerged Cultural Resources Unit, NPS) Area Definition: This describes
the site and shape of the
location, 2) a chart description, 3) known as North Gap, out of nominated area. When combined
UTM coordinates, Latitude and Washington Harbor at the wth the general verbal description,
Longitude, or Loran C, and 4) the western end of Isle Royale. chart description, latitude/longi-
area definition. An example of each tude, Loran C, or UTMs, this
is provided below. Chart description: Bearings should provide an accurate location
must be accurate. The chart mag- of the vessel and the area to be in-
Verbal location: This should be the netic variation should be indicated cluded in the nomination, for
starting point for the section, for and bearings referenced as true or example:
example: magnetic. This information should
be computed from current nautical The area included in the site is
America is located in the chan- charts and be complete enough to a square 2,000 feet on a side;
nel between Thompson Island allow accurate field location, for the geographical center is the
and the main island, locally example: charted vessel position; UTMs,
latitude/longitude, or Loran C
FIGURE 21: Plan of the substantially intact The vessel is 0.7 statute miles coordinates.
wreck of the Civil War ironclad warship from the northeast tip of
U.S.S. Monitor (Photo credit: courtesy, Grace Island on a true bearing A detailed boundary justifica-
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration) of 331.5 degrees and 20 tion is a required part of the

18
FIGURE 22: The documentation for the 18th
century Brown's Ferry Wreck in South
Carolina included a site plan, a photograph
of the vessel remains, a significant
diagnostic artifact recovered from the
wreck, an Improved Davis Quadrant, and a
model of what the vessel is presumed to
have looked like when afloat. (Photo credit:
Gordon Brown, photographer and Darby
Erd, illustrator, courtesy of Institute of
Archeology and Anthropology, University
of South Carolina)

19
FIGURE 23: Documentation of the wrecked steel screw steamer Emperor at Isle Royale National Park included a view of surviving deck
equipment such as this bow anchor winch. (Photo credit: Larry Muphy, NPS)

geographical documentation for the America is an intact vessel with separate boundary. Magnetic
National Register. General guide- little structural damage. The contour maps, test excavation,
lines for boundary delineation of boundary for this site is based and artifact location maps are
archeological resources are provided upon visual examination of attached.
in Bulletin 12 from the National the bottom, accomplished by:
Register. The approaches advocated 4. CONCLUSION
1) swimmer survey of the im-
by the National Register in that mediate area, and 2) swimmer Many concerns encountered in
bulletin should be fully applied. survey on compass transects nominating a historic shipwreck are
Adequate determination of of the surrounding area out similar to those addressed in
boundaries and site limits may be 300 yards from the vessel. The nominations for other types of
difficult for shipwreck sites. The ship's physical remains and historic vessels. Preparers of Na-
site may be partially buried or coral geologic formation in the area tional Register nominations for
encrusted; water turbidity or ex- are stable; little deterioration shipwrecks should consult Section
treme depth may hamper site delin- of the vessel, erosion, or 1 of this bulletin. A final word
eation; or, as a result of both slumping at the site has about documentation concerns the
natural and human impacts, remains occurred. potential of a historic vessel to be a
may be broken into discontiguous National Historic Landmark. If the
scattered features. The latter situa- An example of a justification for vessel has national significance, this
tion presents the most difficult a partially buried shipwreck with should be documented in the
problem for boundary determina- scattered remains, is: nomination. Designation as a Na-
tion and justification. If material re- La Fontaine is a broken and tional Historic Landmark will re-
mains from a shipwreck have been scattered vessel that is partial- quire that the property be studied
widely dispersed, anything other ly buried. The boundary for by the National Park Service.
than a discontiguous site boundary the site is based upon: 1) con- Usually this occurs as part of a
must be justified by empirical data toured magnetometer data in a major theme study. A well-
such as site testing, magnetometry plus or minus 4 gamma range; documented National Register
supported by ground-truthing, or 2) site testing through the nomination for a potential National-
similar activities. long and short axis of the site Historic-Landmark quality vessel
In all cases, a concise statement as determined by magnetom- will facilitate its review by National
justifying the site boundary loca- etry; 3) artifact density on the Park Service professionals. Further
tion, the delineation of the area, surface and in the test loca- information concerning the National
and all factors considered in the tions diminishing to sterile Historic Landmark Program may be
boundary determination, must be soil; and 4) the location of an obtained by writing:
provided along with supporting isolated feature (rudder) ap- NATIONAL HISTORIC
documentation in the boundary jus- proximately Vz mile from the LANDMARK PROGRAM
tification. An example of a justifica- main concentration of wreck- NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (418)
tion for an intact vessel, resting on age. The rudder is treated as a U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
the bottom, is: discontiguous element with a P.O. BOX 37127
WASHINGTON, D . C . , 20013-7127.

20
Recommended Bibliography and Sources

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Adkins, Jan, Wooden Ship: The and the Spanish Empire Therein,
PUBLICATIONS Building of a Wooden Sailing 1492-1821. (Bisbee, Arizona: The
Vessel in 1870. (Boston: Houghton Press, 1986)
Mifflin Company, 1978)
Brewington, Marion V., Chesa-
NATIONAL REGISTER BULLETINS Albion, Robert Greenhalgh, The peake Bay: A Pictorial Maritime
Rise of New York Port, 1815- History. (Cambridge, Maryland:
2 Nomination of Deteriorated 1860. (New York: Charles Scribner's Cornell Maritime Press, 1953)
Properties Sons, 1939)
9 Improvement of Documentation Brouwer, Norman J., International
for Properties Nominated to the , Naval and Maritime Register of Historic Ships. (An-
National Register History: An Annotated Bibliogra- napolis, Maryland: United States
12 Definition of Boundaries for phy. (Mystic, Connecticut: The Naval Institute Press, 1985)
Archeological Properties Marine Historical Association, Inc.,
14 Guidelines for Counting Con- 1972) "The Building of the Ship," The
tributing and Non-Contributing Harper's New Monthly Maga-
Resources , William A. Baker, zine, XXIV (143), 1862: 608-620.
15 How to Apply the National Benjamin W. Labaree, and
Register Criteria for Evaluation Marion V. Brewington, New Butowsky, Harry A., Warships
(Draft 1982) England and the Sea. (Mystic, Associated with World War II in
16 Guidelines for Completing Connecticut: The Marine Historical the Pacific: National Historic
National Register of Historic Association, Inc., 1972) Landmark Theme Study. (Wash-
Places Forms ington, D.C: National Park Service,
19 National Park Service "The American Clyde/' The 1985)
Procedures and Policies for Harper's New Monthly Maga-
Processing Nominations zine, LVI (335), 1878: 641-653. Carrell, Toni, Shipwrecks of Isle
21 How to Establish Boundaries Royale National Park Thematic
for National Register Properties Baker, William Avery, The New Group Nomination (Santa Fe: Na-
22 How to Evaluate and Nominate Mayflower: Her Design and Con- tional Park Service, 1983).
Potential National Register struction. (Barre, Massachusetts:
Properties Jhat Have Achieved Barre Gazette, 1958) Chapelle, Howard I., The History
Significance Within the Last 50 of American Sailing Ships. (New
Years , Colonial Vessels. (Barre, York: W.W. Norton and Company,
23 How to Improve Quality of Massachusetts: Barre Publishing Inc., 1935)
Photos for National Register Company, Inc., 1962)
Nominations , The History of the
25 Directory of Technical , The Engine Powered American Sailing Navy: The
Assistance Vessel. (New York: Grosset & Ships and Their Development.
28 Using the UTM Grid System to Dunlap, 1965) (New York: W.W. Norton and Com-
Record Historic Sites pany, Inc., 1949)
, Sloops and Shallots.
The above publications may be (Barre, Massachusetts: Barre , American Sailing Craft:
obtained by writing to the National Publishing Company, Inc., 1966) Their Design, Development, and
Register of Historic Places, U.S. Construction. (New York: W.W.
Department of Interior, National , A Maritime History of Norton and Company, Inc., 1951)
Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Bath, Maine and the Kennebec
Washington, D.C. 20013-7127. River Region. (Bath, Maine: , The Search for Speed
Marine Research Society of Bath, Under Sail, 1700-1855. (New York:
PUBLISHED SOURCES 1973) 2 volumes. W.W. Norton and Company, Inc.,
1967)
, Maine Shipbuilding: A
These are provided as an in- Bibliographic Guide. (Portland, , The American Fishing
dication of the variety of source Maine: The Maine Historical Society, Schooners, 1825-1935. (New York:
materials available as well as certain 1974) W.W. Norton and Company, Inc.,
highly recommended works which 1973)
will aid researchers. This listing is Bankston, J., An Introductory
not intended to be a comprehensive Bibliography of Maritime , The National Watercraft
bibliography. References for the New World Collection. U.S. National Mu-

21
seum Bulletin 219. (Washington, Anthropology. (Albuquerque: Uni- , San Francisco Bay: A
D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, versity of New Mexico Press, 1983) Pictorial Maritime History.
1960.) (Cambridge, Maryland: Cornell
Haas, Irvin, America's Historic Maritime Press, 1957)
Colleta, Paolo E., A Bibliography Ships: Replicas and Restorations.
of American Naval History. (An- (New York: Arco Publishing Com- Kemp, Peter, ed., The Oxford
napolis, Maryland: United States pany, Inc., 1975) Companion to Ships and the Sea.
Naval Institute Press, 1971) (London: Oxford University Press,
Hall, Henry, Report on the Ship- 1976)
Cutler, Carl, Greyhounds of the Building Industry of the United
Sea: The Story of the American States. (Special report in the Tenth Kerchove, Rene de, International
Clipper Ship. (Annapolis, Census of the United States) (Wash- Maritime Dictionary: An Encyclo-
Maryland: United States Naval In- ington, D.C.: Government Printing pedic Dictionary of Useful Terms
stitute, 1967) Reprint of 1930 Office, 1880) and Phrases, Together with
edition. Equivalents in French and Ger-
Haviland, E.K., "Classification man. (New York: Van Nostrand
Davis, Charles G., American Sail- Society Registers from the Point Reinhold Company, 1961)
ing Ships: Their Plans and of View of a Maritime Historian/'
History. (New York: Dover Books, American Neptune, XXI (1), 1970: Levingston, Steven E., Historic
1984) Reprint of 1929 edition. 9-39. Ships of San Francisco: A Collec-
tive Guide to the Restored His-
Delgado, James P., The Maritime Heyl, Eric, Early American toric Vessels of the National
Connotations of the California Steamers. (Buffalo, New York: Maritime Museum. (San Francisco:
Gold Rush: National Historic Author, 1953-1956) 6 volumes. Chronicle Books, 1984)
Landmark Theme Study. (Wash-
ington, D.C.: National Park Service, Holdcamper, Forrest R., "Registers, Lubbock, Basil, The Down Easters,
1986) Enrollments and Licenses in the American Deep Water Sailing
National Archives," American Ships, 1869-1929. (Glasgow:
Desmond, Charles, Wooden Ship- Neptune, I (3), 1941: 275-294. Brown, Son & Ferguson, Ltd., 1929)
building. (New York: Vestal Press,
1984) Reprint of 1919 edition. , Biography of the List of , The Last of the Windjam-
Merchant Vessels of the United mers. (Glasgow: Brown, Son &
Estep, H. Cole, How Wooden States, XXIV (2), 1964: 119-123. Ferguson, Ltd., 1927) 2 volumes.
Ships are Built: A Practical
Treatise on Modern American , List of American-Flag McGregor, David R., Clipper
Wooden Ship Construction with Merchant Vessels That Received Ships. (Watford, Herts, England:
a Supplement on Laying Off Certificates of Enrollment or Reg- Argus Books, Ltd., 1979)
Wooden Vessels. (New York: istry at the Port of New York,
W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 1789-1867. (Washington, D.C.: The , Merchant Sailing Ships,
1983) Reprint of 1918 edition. National Archives, 1968) 2 volumes. 1775-1815. (Watford, Herts,
England: Argus Books, Ltd., 1980)
Fairburn, William Armstrong, Mer- Howe, Octavius T. and Frederick C ,
chant Sail. (Center Lovell, Maine: American Clipper Ships, 1833-1858. , Schooners in Four Cen-
Fairburn Marine Educational Foun- (Salem, Massachusetts: Marine turies. (Annapolis, Man/land:
dation, Inc., 1955) 6 volumes. Research Society, 1926 and 1927)2 United States Naval Institute Press,
volumes. 1982)
Flexner, James Thomas, Steamboats
Come True: Ameican Inventors Johnston, Paul F., ed., Proceedings , Merchant Sailing Ships,
in Action. (Boston: Little Brown of the Sixteenth Annual Confer- 1815-1850. (Annapolis, Maryland:
and Company, 1978) ence on Underwater Archeology. United States Naval Institute Press,
(Ann Arbor, Michigan: Society for 1984)
Goldenberg, Joseph A., Ship- Historical Archeology, 1985)
building in Colonial America. , Merchant Sailing Ships,
(Charlottesville: University of Johnstone, Paul, The Archaeology 1850-1875. (Annapolis, Maryland:
Virginia Press, 1976) of Ships. (New York: Henry Z. United States Naval Institute Press,
Walck, Inc., 1974) 1984)
Greenhill, Basil, Archaeology of the
Boat: A New Introductory Study. McKelvey, William J., Champlain
Kemble, John Haskell, The Panama
(Middletown, Connecticut: Wesleyan to Chesapeake: A Canal Era
Route, 1848-1869. (Berkeley and Los
University Press, 1976) Pictorial Cruise (Berkeley Heights,
Angeles: University of California
New Jersey: Canal Captain's Press,
Press, 1943) 1986)
Gould, Richard A., ed., Shipwreck

22
MacMullen, Jerry, Paddle-Wheel (Newark: University of Delaware ed., Proceedings of the Sixteenth
Days in California. (Stanford, Press, 1981) Annual Conference on Historic
California: Stanford University Press, Archeology. (Ann Arbor, Michigan:
1944) Robinson, Bill, The Great American Society for Historical Archeology,
Yacht Designers. (New York: 1985)
, and Jack McNairn, Ships Alfred A. Knopf, 1974)
of the Redwood Coast. (Stanford,
California: Stanford University Press, Sawyer, L.A., and W.H. Mitchell, JOURNALS
1945) The Liberty Ships: The History
of the "Emergency" Type Cargo American Neptune
Matthews, Frederick C , American Ships Constructed in the United
Inland Seas
Merchant Ships, 1850-1900: Series States During the Second World
I. (Salem, Massachusetts: Marine War. (London: Lloyd's of London International Journal of Nautical
Research Society, 1931) Press Ltd., 1985) Archaeology
The Log of Mystic Seaport
Morrell, Robert W., Oil Tankers. Society of Naval Architects and Sea History
(New York: Simmons-Boardman Marine Engineers, Historical Seaport
Publishing Company, 1931) Transactions, 1893-1945. (New
York: SNME, 1945) Steamboat Bill
Morris, Paul C , American Sailing Waterways Journal
Coasters of the North Atlantic. Stanford, Peter, The Ships That
(New York: Bonanza Books, 1979) Brought Us So Far. (New York:
National Maritime Historical Society, COLLECTIONS
Morrison, Samuel Eliot, The 1971)
Maritime History of Massachu-
, "Take Good Care of Her, This is a representative sam-
setts, 1783-1860. (Boston: Houghton
Mister." (New York: National pling of major maritime collections
Mifflin Company, 1949)
Maritime Historical Society, 1974). in the United States with a general
indication of source materials
Muckelroy, Keith, Maritime available.
Archaeology. (Cambridge and Still, William N., Jr., Iron Afloat:
The Story of the Confederate Ar- Maine Maritime Museum, Bath,
London: Cambridge University Press,
morclads. (Columbia: University of Maine—Library, reference files, ship
197S)
South Carolina Press, 1985) plans, manuscripts, photographs.
Murphy, Larry, and Allen R.
Saltus, Phase II Identification Underhill, Harold A., Deep-Water Mariners Museum, Newport
and Evaluation of Submerged Sail. (Glasgow: Brown, Son & News, Virginia—Library, reference
Cultural Resources in the Tom- Ferguson, Ltd., 1952) files, manuscripts, photographs.
bigbee River Multi-Resource
District, Alabama and Missis- Watts, Gordon P., "Towards Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic,
sippi. (Mobile: University of Establishing Research and Connecticut—Library, manuscripts,
Alabama, 1981) Significance Criteria for Civil War photographs.
Shipwrecks," in Paul F. National Archives, Washington,
National Museum of American Johnston, ed., Proceedings of the D.C.—Manuscripts including
History, The Smithsonian Collec- Sixteenth Annual Conference on registry enrollment and licensing
tion of Warship Plans: A Catalog Underwater Archeology. (Ann Ar- documents, crew lists, reports of
of Warship Plans, Ordnance bor, Michigan: Society for Historical maritime disasters, inspections,
Drawings, and Ship Model Archeology, 1985) Naval records.
Photographs Available from the
Division of Naval History, Na- Way, Frederick, Jr., Way's Packet National Maritime Historical Socie-
tional Museum of American Directory, 1848-1893. (Athens, ty, Croton-on-Hudson, New Y o r k -
History. (Washington, D.C.: Ohio: Ohio University Press, 1983) updates Brouwer, International
Smithsonian Institution, 1982) Register of Ships, publishes in Sea
, Way's Directory of History.
Purdy, T.C., Report on Steam Western Rivers' Towboats.
National Maritime Museum, San
Navigation in the United States. (Privately printed by Frederick Way,
Francisco—Library, reference files,
(Special Report in the Tenth Census Jr., 121 River Avenue, Sewickley,
manuscripts, ship plans, photo-
of the United States) (Washington, Pennsylvania 15143)
graphs.
D.C.: Government Printing Office,
1880) Wilde-Ransing, Mark, "National Navy Historical Center, Washing-
Register Districts as a Manage- ton, D.C.—Library, biographical
Ridgely-Nevitt, Cedric, American ment Tool for Underwater Re- files on Naval officers, ship
Steamships on the Atlantic. sources," in Paul F. Johnston, histories, photographs, ship plans.

23
Peabody Museum, Salem, MARITIME MUSEUM ASSOCIA- U.S. FRIGATE CONSTELLATION
Massachussets—Library, reference TION OF SAN DIEGO Constellation Dock
1306 North Harbor Drive Baltimore, Maryland 21202
files, manuscripts, ship plans, San Diego, California 92101
U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY
photographs. MARITIME MUSEUM OF THE MUSEUM
ATLANTIC Annapolis, Maryland 21402
Riverboat Photograph Collection, 1675 Lower Water Street
Murphy Library, University of U.S. NAVY MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1S3 Bldg. 76, Washington Navy Yard
Wisconsin, La Crosse, Wisconsin. CANADA Washington, D.C. 20390
MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM U.S.S. CONSTITUTION MUSEUM
South Street Seaport, New Mystic, Connecticut 06355 FOUNDATION
York—Library, reference files, NANTUCKET HISTORICAL Boston Naval Shipyard
photographs. ASSOCIATION Boston, Massachusetts 02129
P.O. Box 1016 VANCOUVER MARITIME
Steamship Historical Society, Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554 MUSEUM
Baltimore, Maryland—Library, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, 1905 Ogden Street
reference files, ship plans, SAN FRANCISCO Vancouver, British Columbia
photographs. San Francisco Maritime National V6J 3J9 CANADA
Historical Park WHALING MUSEUM SOCIETY
National Park Service Cold Spring Harbor, New York
Ft. Mason, Bldg. 201 11724
THE COUNCIL OF San Francisco, California 94123
AMERICAN MARITIME NORTH CAROLINA MARITIME
MUSEUM
MUSEUMS 315 Front Street CREDITS AND
Beaufort, North Carolina 28516 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
OLD DARTMOUTH HISTORICAL
CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM SOCIETY WHALING MUSEUM
P.O. Box 97 This bulletin first took form as a
18 Johnny Cake Hill
Solomons, Maryland 20688 presentation for the Association for
New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740
THE CANAL MUSEUM Preservation Technology's short
318 Erie Blvd., East PEABODY MUSEUM OF SALEM course on standards for maritime
Syracuse, New York 13202 East India Marine Hall preservation, which was held at the
Salem, Massachusetts 01970 National Maritime Museum, San
CHESAPEAKE BAY MARITIME Francisco, in September 1985. The
MUSEUM PENOBSCOT MARINE MUSEUM
Searsport, Maine 04974 discussion and interaction with the
St. Michaels, Maryland 21663 various professionals attending the
COLUMBIA RIVER MARITIME PHILADELPHIA MARITIME course considerably guided the
MUSEUM preparation of the bulletin. Carol
MUSEUM 321 Chestnut Street
Astoria, Oregon 97103 D. Shull, William B. Bushong, Beth
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 Savage, Linda McClelland, and
EAST HAMPTON TOWN MARINE RADCLIFFE MARITIME MUSEUM Patrick Andrus of the National
MUSEUM The Maryland Historical Society Register, and National Park Service
Bluff Road, P.O. Box 858 210 West Monument Street Chief Historian Edwin C. Bearss
Amagansett, New York 11930 Baltimore, Maryland 21201 helped define the final form of the
FLAGSHIP NIAGARA bulletin in discussions at the Na-
SAG HARBOR WHALING AND tional Register. Steve Haller of the
P.O. Box 1026 HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17108 National Maritime Museum provid-
P.O. Box 1327 ed a well-researched list of vessel
THE GREAT LAKES HISTORICAL Sag Harbor, New York 11796 types he had prepared. Alicia
SOCIETY THE SMITHSONIAN Weber of the National Park Service
480 Main Street INSTITUTION provided a listing of vessels in the
Vermilion, Ohio 44089 Curator of Naval History National Register as of September
HUDSON RIVER MARITIME National Museum of American 1984. The cooperative effort of all
CENTER History the task force members assembled
Washington, D.C. 20560 at Santa Fe, New Mexico, resulted
One Roundout Landing
Kingston, New York 12401 THE SMITHSONIAN in the section of the bulletin
INSTITUTION devoted to shipwreck nominations;
THE KENDALL WHALING Toni CarreD of the Submerged
Curator of Maritime History
MUSEUM National Museum of American Cultural Resource Unit worked the
P.O. Box 297 History initial draft into the final product.
Sharon, Massachusetts 02067 Washington, D.C. 20560 Glennie Wall of the National
MAINE MARITIME MUSEUM Maritime Museum reviewed the
SOUTH STREET SEAPORT early draft of the bulletin. Review
963 Washington Street
MUSEUM comments were provided by Roger
Bath, Maine 04530 207 Front Street E. Kelly, Peter Stanford, Carl Hugh
MANITOWOC MARITIME New York, New York 10038 Jones, Nicholas Dean, Lynn Hicker-
MUSEUM SUFFOLK MARINE MUSEUM son, Marcia Myers, Stephen T.
809 South 8th Street Montauk Highway Rogers, Lou Wall, Anne Giesecke,
Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54220 West Sayville, New York 11796 Don Lanihan, Larry Murphy, Toni
THE MARINERS' MUSEUM Carrell, Cal Cummings, John
THOUSAND ISLANDS SHIPYARD Fitzhugh Miller, Gordon Chappell,
Newport News, Virginia 23606
MUSEUM Paul Putz, Peter Kurtze, Stuart
M.I.T. MUSEUM AND 750 Mary Street
HISTORICAL COLLECTION Frank, the New Jersey Diving
Clayton, New York 13624 Council, and others.
Hart Nautical Collection
265 Massachusetts Avenue U.S. COAST GUARD MUSEUM
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 U.S. Coast Guard Academy
New London, Connecticut 06320

U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1992 O - 336-348 : QL 3

24

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