Please join us for New Bedford Science Café, Tues., 5/5, from 6–8 p.m., The Last Round Bar & Grille, 908 Purchase St., New Bedford
Our guest David Robinson, the Director & Chief Archaeologist of the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources, will discuss “The Surprise Discovery of Revolutionary War Shipwrecks in New Bedford Harbor” and the important lessons learned.
During New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site remediation activities, unanticipated discoveries were made in 2009 and 2016 of the submerged and charred remains of two Revolutionary War-era coastal schooners. David’s underwater investigations revealed that they were likely among the 70 vessels torched and sunk on September 5-6th, 1778, during the infamous British attack on New Bedford Harbor. Although the harbor-floor was subjected to archaeological surveys prior to Super Fund activities, marine remote sensing had not detected either wreck. Why?
“It left me with a horrible thought,” recalls David. “How many other shipwrecks might have been missed in this and other surveys?”
David, a native of Rhode Island who has investigated over 50 shipwrecks, will relate the riveting story of how stumbling onto these hidden hulls ultimately led to improved detection methods.
Free parking in rear of building.
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Click here to download the 4/30/26 issue: 04-30-26 WI 5K
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