The Gulfpenn and the Alcoa Puritan

This unique program of research combines archaeology, history, biology, metallurgy and oceanography to study how structures or objects function as artificial reefs in deep water. Although there is not yet a complete understanding of how artificial reefs function on the continental shelf, particularly in the photic zone above 100 m, it is generally accepted that artificial reefs can serve a positive function by the creation of new hard-bottom habitat in areas where hard-bottom is naturally lacking.

The ideal laboratory for this study exists in the Gulf of Mexico where 56 ships were sunk by German submarines during World War II, most within a few months of each other in 1942. Seven of these vessels — one of which was lost to accident rather than enemy action — were located during oil and gas surveys and selected for this study because they represent a range of depths (from 280 feet to 6,500 feet) and carried a variety of cargoes. Because of the range of water depths, which represent different ecological niches, and the fact that most of the vessels were sunk within a few months of one another, they represent a unique opportunity to study the "artificial reef effect" in differing depths over the course of 60 years. In addition to the biological characterizations that will be conducted at each site, the vessels will be documented and studied as historic sites for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• u-boat
• wwii
• submarine
• marine biology
• underwater archaeology