Recognizing the significance of the site, archaeologists received rigorous support to begin surveying the area. Prior to any kind of excavation on the site a conservation laboratory was established in Florida’s historical district to shelter, maintain, and display the remains of the ship and any remaining artifacts. Interest in the project sprouted via citizens and visitors alike as they sought a chance to view, first-hand, how the mysteries of Florida’s past would bubble up to the surface. The University of West Florida enthusiastically signed on to become an academic partner in the project, providing eager students and staff the opportunity to further their knowledge and experience in the unique excavation laws of underwater archaeological fieldwork. (Cook)
“The Shipwreck Survey received partial support from a grant of federal NOAA funds administered by the Florida Coastal Management Program of the Department of Community Affairs.” (Spirek) The grant, paired with overwhelming support from local departments, offered a starting point for the project. Soon it was all aboard on the journey to discovery as a talented team of archaeologists and students dove into systematic excavations of the site.
Buried by an accumulation of sediment from centuries past, a small pile of ballast stones served as the only visibly recognizable aspect, an “X” marks the spot of sorts, that signaled the location of this historic shipwreck. Ballast stones are small to medium sized river cobbles, commonly found in the shallow waters of sand bars in Pensacola Bay. Brought aboard by Spanish sailors of the time, they were strategically placed low in the ship’s hull in order to provide the necessary extra weight needed to balance the ship during its voyage. (Green)
To control further testing of the site, a baseline was laid along the longitudinal axis of the mound, which measures 16 m in length and 8 m in breadth. (Smith) Researchers divided the area into quadrants, using a precise grid system to ensure that the recording of data was highly efficient and would reflect the exact location of their findings. A metal detector survey was also conducted and revealed that the anchor, slightly protruding through the sand, was the primary source of the initial 400- gamma anomaly. The anchor was the first tell-tale clue to the ship’s origin, as its similar shape and size was previously reported in anchors used aboard Spanish and European ships of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
The widely anticipated unveiling of the underwater wreck was revealed as divers used hand fanning as a method of carefully uncovering a blanket of sediment from fragile artifacts, like extracting a lustrous pearl from its grotesque encasing. The investigative team continued to discover specially molded and painted Aztec ceramics that helped to identify the ship as a part of Tristan de Luna’s Spanish fleet. The site dates all the way back to 1559, which provides significant evidence that the ship was used in the very first efforts to colonize the state of Florida.
The astonishingly well-preserved architecture of the ship also allowed archaeologists to determine its Spanish ownership as well as draw conclusions about its purpose for sailing. A wooden timber was extracted and believed to be the ceiling planking of the ship while the stern section of the vessel was found to be complete with a rudder. After being uncovered, the stern revealed the ships extensive and unexpectedly large size. Further investigation of the ships remains revealed an expanded keelson, with mortise and chock to house the foot of the mainmast; a pump well and sump to house the shaft of the ship’s bilge pump, and perpendicular buttresses to laterally support this critical area of the hull.
After carefully sifting through the area in and around the ship’s hull, archaeologists unearthed a number of significant artifacts, including a breastplate of Spanish armor near the ship’s rudder and the bones of small animals such as rats and mice scattered throughout the ocean floor. Interestingly, they also uncovered a metal container, resembling a pitcher, with dark coloration that signaled it may have been made of tin or pewter. A small copper alloy ring was thought to be associated with the metal pitcher-like container and has been amazingly well preserved. A large copper cauldron appears to have been damaged from the wreck but because of its close proximity to the metal pitcher, it has been concluded that these items were most likely used for cooking aboard the ship.
“Below mid ships ballast and between frames in the stern, the Emanuel Point Ship’s bilge sediments had preserved a surprising array of organic debris that had accumulated over time throughout the vessel’s sailing career.” (Bratten) These organic materials include dunnage, rope and cordage, animal bones and plant remains. Upon examining the 206 bones found on site, scientists came to the conclusion that before the ship sank it was replete with rodent infestation. Fragments of insect wings and cockroaches were also discovered in situ.
Two cork stoppers were uncovered along with a wooden implement that may have been used during the ship’s construction and a small carved silhouette of a ship in the shape of a classic galleon. Among all of these well-preserved artifacts, archaeologists also found eight fragments of leather, most likely from shoes that were aboard the ship when it sank. Ceramic olive jars were found, and most likely held olive oil, vinegar, or honey. These jars were portable and strategically shaped to make stacking them easier. (Smith) The jars helped researchers to determine the specific culture in which they were associated with and the precise time.
Eleven stone cannon balls were also uncovered near the stern of the ship. These stones were identified as being similar to and therefore associated with the Spanish fleet that sank in 1554 off Padre Island. Two lead and iron cannonballs were also discovered near where the iron breastplate was found. These recovered artifacts are evidence that the ship was armed with dangerous ammunition. A small coin near the stern, on the starboard side, was immediately placed in a storage solution in order to reduce the corrosion. Archaeologists later determined that the coin was a “billion blanca”, used during the reign of Henry IV. (Bratten)
Collectively, these artifacts have been researched, preserved and used to help paint a vivid picture of the medieval ship in its prime. Archaeologists, researchers and scholars agree that the tragic fate of the ship happened as a result of a violent hurricane that struck the west coast of Florida. The ship was destroyed by violent wave action and laid to rest on a shallow sand bar in Pensacola Bay. The storm was also likely responsible for the amount of missing cargo.
This historical site is now referred to as the forgotten chapter of Tristan de Luna whose expedition in 1559 was goaled at establishing a permanent colony at Punta de Santa Elena, or Pensacola Bay, using a strategic military assault but instead resulting in a cataclysmic cessation in early colonization efforts. The site of Emanuel Point is the oldest shipwreck in Florida and an important part of nautical history. The analysis of artifacts that were removed from the site have helped to give an accurate date to the shipwreck and provide valuable information about the history of Florida, early nautical techniques applied by the Spanish and much more.
The mention of shipwrecks often inspires a wave of fantasies, embellished by well-known legends of buried treasure and the allure of mysterious underwater adventure. Although folklore exists as a consumer-facing mask on the subject of underwater anthropology, it certainly alludes to the enticing discovery of details that build the framework for understanding how the past has shaped our present-day existence. The Emanuel Point Shipwreck was incredibly well preserved and holds a multitude of clues to the past that bear a somewhat seductive charm, like an unsolved mystery.
What was once a proud sea-worthy vessel bustling with passengers became a dismembered pile of eroded material lying stagnant and unseen on the ocean floor. Shipwrecks and other archaeological sites are centers for learning and critical to our understanding of the events that makeup our ancestor’s past. It’s important that people be knowledgeable and aware of historical discoveries such as Emanuel Point that represent a momentous snapshot of Florida’s history and a huge success for The Bureau of Archaeological Research, The University of West Florida and all others involved. But the discovery also begs the question, what other fragments of our past are scattered in the sea’s great abyss?
Works Cited
Bailey, Geoffrey N. “Archaeology of the Continental Shelf: Marine resources, submerged landscapes and underwater archaeology.” Department of Archaeology. University of New York. Web. Nov. 20. 2013
Bratten, John R. “The Emanuel Point Ship: Archaeological Investigations”. The Bureau of Archaeological Research, Division of Historical Resources. Florida Department of State. Pensacola, Florida. November 1995. Web. Nov. 18. 2013
Cook, Gregory D. “Emanuel Point Shipwreck” University of West Florida, Division of Anthropology and Archaeology. Pensacola, Florida. 1992. Web. Nov. 20. 2013.
Galli, E. The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology.
“Underwater Archaeology: A Link to the Past.” North Carolina Office of State Archaeology.” http://www.archaeology.ncdcr.gov/ncarch/underwater/underwater.html
Green, J. Encyclopedia of Underwater Archaeology, Underwater History and Methodology. The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology. Pages 214-215. Print.
Scott-Ireton, Della.“The Emanuel Point Ship: Archaeological Investigations”. The Bureau of Archaeological Research, Division of Historical Resources. Florida Department of State. Pensacola, Florida. November 1995. Web. Nov. 18. 2013
Smith, Roger C. “The Emanuel Point Ship: Archaeological Investigations”. The Bureau of Archaeological Research, Division of Historical Resources. Florida Department of State. Pensacola, Florida. November 1995. Web. Nov. 18. 2013
Spierk, James. “The Emanuel Point Ship: Archaeological Investigations”. The Bureau of Archaeological Research, Division of Historical Resources. Florida Department of State. Pensacola, Florida. November 1995. Web. Nov. 18. 2013
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Project Journals. Web. Nov. 18. 2013. http://www.uri.edu/mua/
“What is Underwater Archaeology.” Advisor Council on Underwater Archaeology. http://www.acuaonline.org/what-is-underwater-archaeology/
