Vernon Basin\Florida Escarpment\Gravel Shipwreck

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On May 16, 2019, at late afternoon, NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer made a groundbreaking discovery during its ROV engineering mission EX1902 dive 3 while exploring the edge of the Florida Escarpment in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship's archaeologists believe that this small shipwreck was likely built between 1840 and 1860, possibly as a coastal schooner or a brig, or even a smaller vessel with a unique rigging system. A closer examination reveals that the hull is filled with gravel, which suggests that it may have been used to carry cargo rather than ballast. Historically, beach and river cobble and gravel were also used in the 19th century as ballast, so this theory is plausible. Furthermore, the absence of artifacts could indicate that the vessel was being towed under a barge at some point. Some of the observed wood appears to be blackened and checked, which may be evidence of a fire.