Conservation Update -- 7/15/04

Greetings! Work in the USS Monitor’s turret continues. With the assistance of experienced riggers from Northrop Grumman Newport News, conservators have successfully removed b oth carriages. Attached is an overhead photograph of the turret. Now that we have better access to the Dahlgren guns, Mariners’ intern, David Krop, and NOAA's intern, Jessica Curci, have been working together with conservators excavating fill from around and beneath the guns and have recovered several artifacts.

A committee made up of conservators, NOAA archaeologists and riggers from Northrop Grumman Newport News are formulating a plan for lifting the Dahlgrens. Engravings were found on the guns and we must be extremely careful not to disturb the markings during the lift. The plan now, still scheduled for mid-August, calls for removal of the inboard gun slides, but may not require the removal of the transverse beam. We are also working with some outside folks to cast the nut guards that will protect and keep the nuts from being dislodged.

As you can imagine, the Monitor project continues to make national headlines. The remarkable engineering feat for the recovery of the turret made the cover of the spring issue of Naval Engineers Journal and the conserved propeller that is now on display at The Mariners’ Museum was featured on the cover of Boat U.S. Magazine. On the local front, Daily Press reporter Mark St. John Erickson will feature a series of six Sunday Special Reports on the Monitor. These special reports were launched this past Sunday. You can read this special report on the web and continue to follow it in the weeks to come. The web address is http://www.dailypress.com/news/specials/monitor/.

I will continue to keep you posted on our progress. Many thanks for your enthusiasm and continued support of the project. You are helping make possible the preservation of one of America’s most significant naval treasures for future generations to enjoy. Thank You!

All the best, Kimberly

Kimberly F. Hansin
Campaign Coordinator
USS Monitor Center at
The Mariners' Museum
100 Museum Drive
Newport News, VA 23606
(757) 591-7746
khansin@mariner.org