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Return to the Monitor
Everyone loves a good sea story so, follow along as @Sea correspondent Tim Askew brings
you expedition reports from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution's (HBOI) Research
Vessel SEA DIVER, 18 miles off the coast of North Carolina in the Monitor National Marine
Sanctuary. HBOI will use their Research Submersible CLELIA to assist NOAA's National Ocean
Service and US Navy personnel with protecting the wreck of the Civil War ironclad, USS
Monitor from a predicted, catastrophic collapse.
This mission is part of a long-range preservation plan for the Monitor - in response
to a mandate from Congress - that recommended placing grout bags under the hull and
recovering major components of the wreck, including the propeller, engine, guns, and
the famous revolving gun turret. The propeller was raised in 1998. During this expedition,
the engine will be prepared for recovery.
Interested in Monitor undersea video footage?
Check out our Downloads section.
Looking for some Monitor images?
Browse through our Gallery for images.
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Hear ship-to-shore audio dispatches from the @Sea correspondent, Tim Askew.
*Note* - The formats used cater to a variety of hardware and software applications. 'MP3' is the smallest format
available with almost no loss in quality, it requires MP3 player software to be installed. 'AIFF' format is recommended for Mac users (without 'Quicktime 4') as it will open directly
in your browser. Both 'AIFF' and 'WAVE' will automatically launch Media Player in the Windows environment.
The 'Quicktime 4' format is a high compression/excellent quality format and supports both our audio and video clips. 'Quicktime 4' files
will open directly in your browser window for ease of use, we recommend downloading the plug-in from www.apple.com.
Transit - Fighting the Gulf Stream - June 20
The journey of the R/V SEA DIVER to the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary,
is prolonged due to an eddy current encountered off Charleston, South Carolina.
Download Dispatch Audio Clips:
June 20 | PM Dispatch
MP3 format(324k)
| AIFF format(400k) |
Quicktime 4 format(400k) |
WAVE format(480k)
Day 1 - Nearing the Wreck Site/First Dive - June 21
Along the way, the crew catches and releases a marlin, sees patches of Sargassum weed
and prepares the CLELIA for the missions' first dive on the wreck of the USS Monitor.
Download Dispatch Audio Clips:
June 21 | AM Dispatch
MP3 format(494k)
| AIFF format(723k) |
Quicktime 4 format(724k) |
WAVE format(1,084k)
Off Cape Hatteras, NOAA observers are transfered from a Coast Guard vessel to the R/V SEA DIVER.
The ship arrived at the wreck site within the Monitor Marine Sanctuary that afternoon. A dive was
conducted in the submersilbe CLELIA with excellent visibility (Dispatch #2).
Download Dispatch Audio Clips:
June 21 | PM Dispatch #1
MP3 format(494k)
| AIFF format(722k) |
Quicktime 4 format(723k) |
WAVE format(1,083k)
June 21 | PM Dispatch #2
MP3 format(227k)
| AIFF format(330k) |
Quicktime 4 format(333k) |
WAVE format(494k)
Day 2 - SEA DIVER Riding out the Weather - June 22
Poor weather conditions have delayed dives on the wreck today.
Tommorrow is another day...
Download Dispatch Audio Clips:
June 22 | AM Dispatch
MP3 format(484k)
| AIFF format(616k) |
Quicktime 4 format(616k) |
WAVE format(740k)
Day 3 - Weather Improvements Allow Dive Today - June 23
Weather improved this morning allowing the submersible CLELIA to make a dive to the wreck site
with NOAA researchers on board. Visibility was poor due to Gulf Stream influences. Storm
weather expected while Naval Operations are expected to arrive soon(Dispatch #2)
Download Dispatch Audio Clips:
June 23 | AM Dispatch #1
MP3 format(484k)
| AIFF format(616k) |
Quicktime 4 format(616k) |
WAVE format(740k)
June 23 | AM Dispatch #2
MP3 format(484k)
| AIFF format(616k) |
Quicktime 4 format(616k) |
WAVE format(740k)
Day 4/5 - Navy Crews Arrive - June 24/25
On Saturday weather greatly improved allowing
dives to survey the engine room and excellent
overall video of the wreck was shot. On Sunday, the tug M/V KATHERINE, the 292 foot long derrick
barge, WEEKS, and the 56 divers and support crew arrived at the site. Before the barge could be
moored and the gantry deployed, the weather turned and the ships were forced to seek shelter closer
to shore. Click here to view an image slideshow of the dispatch.
Download Dispatch Audio Clips:
June 24/25 | AM Dispatch
MP3 format(484k)
| AIFF format(616k) |
Quicktime 4 format(616k) |
WAVE format(740k)
Day 6 - Submersible Operations under the Navy Barge - June 26
Poor weather has once again resulted in mission delays. When asked to describe the recovery of the Monitor's engine and diving in the CLELIA on the wreck
site once the Navy barge is in place, Tim Askew had this to say...
Download Dispatch Audio Clips:
June 26 | AM Dispatch
MP3 format(189k)
| AIFF format(231k) |
Quicktime 4 format(232k) |
WAVE format(691k)
Day 7 - CLELIA Launched in High Seas - June 30
Despite high seas, the submersible CLELIA made a dive with NOAA representatives aboard.
The US Navy barge, WEEKS will return and is expected to moor over the wreck on Saturday.
Download Dispatch Audio Clips:
June 30 | AM Dispatch
MP3 format(424k)
| AIFF format(626k) |
Quicktime 4 format(624k) |
WAVE format(932k)
Day 8 - SEA DIVER returns to Harbor Branch - July 05
The R/V SEA DIVER returned to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution this afternoon after steaming
two days from Cape Hatteras. The latest video footage will soon be included in our Downloads section
so check back soon. If you are still interested in the progess of the USS Monitor recovery
go to The Mariner's Museum
site or the DailyPress online for up-to-date dispatches on this mission.
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