Florida State University's Program in
Underwater
Archaeology is
pleased to announce a new and exciting research project. The
Kingstown Harbour Shipwreck Project is a cooperative research effort
between the Institute of
Maritime
History and Florida State
University.
The shipwreck is located in Kingstown Harbour on the Caribbean island
nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These tropical islands
have an extremely diverse cultural history, and were among the last
to be colonized by Europeans. For centuries, the British fought not
only the French but the native Caribs and escaped African slaves for
control of the island. At the height of these conflicts, a large,
heavily armed, copper-sheathed vessel sank in the clear, blue waters
of Kingstown Harbour.
Preliminary research has provided three probable identities for the
shipwreck, which is believed to date from the late 18th century: that
of a slaver, a British Royal Navy vessel, or a privateer. Whichever
scenario is true, the site is in pristine condition and promises to
increase our understanding of 18th century maritime history and the
emerging global system of trade, sea power, and colonization that
would lay the foundations for modern society.
The Institute of Maritime History and Florida State University co-sponsored field research,
with FSU providing technical support, diving support, and student archaeologists. With the cooperation
of the Government of St. Vincent and the http://www.oas.org/. Organization
of American States, a joint team of IMH and FSU researchers carried out a survey that included remote sensing, surface mapping, some
artifact recovery and limited excavations.
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