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UWF Team Surveys 1800’s Steam Launch Found In McDavid
June 24, 2011
A research team from the University of West Florida confirmed Thursday morning that the old boat pulled from the Escambia River over the weekend was, in fact, a steam launch from about the late 1800’s.
Archaeologist John Bratton and students from the University of West Florida took a look at the boat this morning and found that the surviving wooden structure is in remarkably good shape.
The steam launch is once again submerged in the Escambia River near McDavid. Bratton and his team recovered a few small pieces of wood to determine its type and to learn how to best preserve the boat if it’s ever removed from the river for display in a museum.
For earlier NorthEscambia.com stories about the discovery of the steam launch and detailed photos of the boat out of the water –
- McDavid Mystery: Steamboat Pulled From the Escambia River (6/19)
- Expert: McDavid Mystery Steamboat Appears To Be From 1800’s (6/21)
Pictured: A UWF Archeology research team surveys a 100 plus year old steam launch on the Escambia River near McDavid Thursday morning. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
Comments
18 Responses to “UWF Team Surveys 1800’s Steam Launch Found In McDavid”
I cane recall flying over that area in thr early ‘80 and seeing the sunjen logging ships. It’s so cool to see them being brought up thirty year later!
I’m sorry, I was wrong. All the people involved in this project from UWF had were at least seniors in college. There were several graduate students, as well as two professors. I guess I just got my panties in a twist.
Google and read the history of Florida’s Isolated Finds Program. The archs killed the program where if you found an “isolated” arrowhead in a stream or river and you completed a form and mailed it in the find was legal. That way prof archs could study and see what was being found where. The program was abolished and its illegal to find arrowheads and artifacts in the waters of Florida. As far as finding arrowheads on land, unless its associated with a burial or mound and you have permission from the landowner you are okay. In central Florida lots of people have been arrested for “looting” arrowheads from the rivers.
timothy, next time just leave it be where you can enjoy it so you dont have to deal with all the busy bodies!
glad to hear the boat was an artifact question how will it be protected from vandals also after the study would it be possible to tell us what kind of wood it is made of
Yes “Just Sayin” it was kind of a shock that we had committed a felony in theory, and ignorance of the law is no excuse, and we are greatful that we will not be prosecuted. However we are still excited about the find. I wish i would have known the laws to have the archeaologists involved from the beginning. I will not be out searching for artifacts any time soon on the river,but if i come across something i will definately call a pro. My question is………….. are there any laws about finding things such as arrowheads or other artifacts in the woods?
The feel good story came to an end when the “discovery” crew found out they may have committed felonies. Archaeological laws are meant to preserve history. You can’t play Indiana Jones, sorry folks. I truly hope they aren’t prosecuted but I’ve seen people prosecuted for less.
True! I just hope it stays preserved until they do have the right resources. I love local history. I hope one day it is made a historical piece in a local museum!!
They can resubmerge it all they want to but if it aint tied down, somebody will knock the foot off of their boat motor on it in a month or so about the steel bridge. Well, if it does float down river maybe it will get hung up in a shallow spot and bluegills will bed in it.
They put the boat back in the water to preserve it. In dry air the wood will split & bust. Also being under water keeps insects & vandals off.
The team of Maritime Archeologists that came up from UWF are very educated in their profession. The team was lead by TWO experts along with the other students that are involved in this particular project. The reason for the wet suits is that they were under the impression that the boat was in several feet of water and they would need to dive to obtain their measurements. They were very careful with the vessel and will be able to draw the boat as it used to be once the data is all put together and the wood will be tested to see exactly how old it is.
And, Yes, while the boat is again submerged, it is tied down and is in a secure location where it will be safe and monitored.
The team is looking for the best procedure for wood preservation for the boat before it is pulled out of the water since the process requires being applied while the wood is still wet; Another reason for testing the wood and keeping the boat wet.
They had to resubmerge it because it probably would disintegrate quickly in a dry environment. The river water and bottom have preserved it this long, why risk dragging it out if there is nowhere to keep it in good condition?
They put it back to try to maintain it. I’m sure resources are tight and they probably do not have the place and resources to stop what they are currently working on to save this right now. It is not usual to leave something in place, or in this case, return it to the environment which it was in, to maintain it. Leaving out in the air will definitely cause it rot away quickly.
lol wetsuits.
I’m not quite understanding the reasoning in why they are putting it back inot the river. It will def not stay there unless tied down. Also it is now in more danger to get damaged. Preserve it now! Why take the chance on losing it or it getting damaged!
Hey now, don’t you know these are college kids ? They know way more in 2 years of college than any of us who have been on that river our whole life ! And the professor with them knows so much that we couldn’t tell him anything because he knows everything, like most people with a degree.
hey now, they are college people. Don’t you know tha 4
Hope they tied it to a tree. If not they can go pick it up in the logjam below Sandy Landing in a few months.