1. Shipwrecks of North Carolina
This presentation will introduce students to both historic shipwrecks and intentional shipwrecks, e.g. artificial reefs. The take-home point of the presentation is that shipwrecks have both cultural and biological values. Photos were taken by Avery Paxton, Alyssa Adler, and Emily Pickering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Institute of Marine Sciences unless otherwise noted.
Prepared by Avery Paxton
February 2014

2. ‘Graveyard of the Atlantic’
North Carolina coastal waters are the resting place for thousands of shipwrecks. Because there are so many shipwrecks here, the NC coastal waters are known as the ‘Graveyard of the Atlantic.’ Ask students why they think there are so many shipwrecks along the NC coast? Ask them if they know of any shipwrecks? Do they know stories about them?
Map from NOAA Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

3. Thousands of shipwrecks in NC
There are over 5,000 shipwrecks along the NC coast. Shipwrecks occur in both shallow and deep water. Some wrecks may wash up on the beach. Others may remain in their wrecking location. Some may be moved by storms. Others may be buried by sand and later exposed again.

4. Causes of Shipwrecks Run aground Storms War Others?
Many shipwrecks occurred via natural causes. Ask students what they think are natural causes. Storms are one natural cause of shipwrecks. Many ships sink in storms. Also, the NC coast contains many barrier islands than are constantly shifting. Shifting channels and therefore water depth caused some shipwrecks. Other wrecks occurred as direct consequences of war.

5. USS Monitor (1862) U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph
The USS Monitor was an ironclad war-ship that sank during the Civil War in 1862 in 230 feet of water, 16.1 miles south-southeast of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The Monitor National Marine Sanctuary currently protects the USS Monitor and the water column above it. This is a very historic shipwreck with a revolutionary design that sank during a gale. Here is some additional information on the USS Monitor from the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary:
Link to Monitor National Marine Sanctuary:
Link to Brochure:
Link to Encylopedia of Sanctuary:
U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph

6. USS Monitor (1862) Monitor Collection, NOAA.
Here are photo mosaics of the USS Monitor shipwreck. The location of the shipwreck was discovered in 1983.
Monitor
Collection,
NOAA.

7. Battle of the Atlantic German U-boat, U-85. Sank in 1943.
During World War II, German submarines called U-Boats travelled across the Atlantic Ocean to wreak havoc on the Allied forces’ shipping operations. The German U-boats torpedoed numerous Allied vessels, including tankers and freighters. In return, the United States sank four known U-boats off the coast of NC. This photograph is of the conning tower (the uppermost part) of the German U-boat, U-85. The U-85 was the first U-Boat that sank off the coast of the US during WWII. It lies in 100 ft of water, 13 miles off the NC coast. The numerous events associated with the U-boats sinking ships along the east coast of the US are part of what is called the Battle of Atlantic.
German U-boat, U-85. Sank in 1943.

8. Types of Shipwrecks Historic Artificial
Sank accidentally during storms, war, or other causes
Sank on purpose to form habitat

9. NC Artificial Reef Program
The NC Artificial Reef Program began in 1983 and purposely sinks structures to form habitat for fish. The materials that they sink range from ships (above left) to railroad boxcars, planes, bridge pieces, and even large concrete pipes (above right). The structures are thoroughly cleaned (e.g. ships are stripped of hazardous materials) before sinking. The structures attract fish and invertebrates. Fishermen frequently fish on the artificial reef sites and SCUBA divers frequently visit them because of the high numbers of fish attracted to these materials.

10. Value of Shipwrecks CULTURAL RESOURCES
Time-capsules of the past are part of maritime heritage
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Habitat for fish and invertebrates
Shipwrecks are important because they are cultural resources and biological resources. As cultural resources, shipwrecks are time-capsules of the past and are a critical part of our maritime heritage (our history). As biological resources, shipwrecks form habitat for fish and invertebrates. The wrecks provide homes for fish and invertebrates as well as a place for these critters to grow up.

11. City of Houston
Teachers assign students to groups of students each. Each group will be assigned a particular shipwreck to research. This slide and the following slides are photographs of the shipwrecks that students may be assigned. Students are asked to research pre- and post-sinking characteristics. Pre-sinking characteristics include the use of the ship, shape, size, and any other pertinent information that students find interesting. Post-sinking characteristics include the date of sinking, how the ship sank, location of sinking, depth of sinking, what the structure looks like on the bottom. Students can either conduct this research as homework or during class. Either way, have each student present information about their assigned shipwreck in front of the class. Students will present in their assigned group, such that each student talks for approximately 30 seconds. Group presentations should be no longer than 4-5 minutes total.

12. John D. Gill

13. Hyde

14. Titan

15. Assignment Research your assigned shipwreck
Present your findings in front of class
Use ‘Worksheet 1: Shipwreck History’ as a guide