STATE OF FLORIDA’S ARCHAEOLOGICAL GUIDELINES:

While the change to the DGPS has been successful, there are a few changes that Salvors, Inc. would like to suggest to both improve accuracy and the ease of which the data can be manipulated. Salvors, Inc. is taking all of the readings in NAD83 , which matches the signal output from the CORS station at Cape Canaveral, and plans to plot the information for their purposes in NAD83. Salvors, Inc. respectfully suggest that the State of Florida do the same as it would improve accuracy by, once again, eliminating the need for data conversions and it would also bring the information up to date with the latest techno9loty. Additionally, Salvors, Inc. would like to suggest an administrative change in the form of changes made to the Archaeological Guidelines to reflect the change to the utilization of DGPS as a primary means of position location. This should be done to accurately reflect the nature of the current contracts betw3een Salvors, Inc. and the State of Florida’s Division of Historical Resources. Problems were relatively few with regard to the switch from the sextant and beach marker system to DGPS. Some were reported, however, as noted in a letter to Salvors, Inc. from Jim Dunbar. One subcontractor did not recognize that his DGPS unit was not functioning properly while he was working, and one did not realize that he had to stop working if his unit was not functioning properly. Salvors, Inc. hopes that growing experience with the units will at least, partially rectify such problems. Additionally, Salvors, Inc. will make an extra effort to ensure that the subcontractors understand that they may not work without properly functioning DGPS equipment. Mr. Dunbar also had concerns about the inclusion of locations which were searched, but in which nothing was found, in the database with the DGPS locations. Salvors, Inc. would like to ensure the Division of Historical Resources that sol-called "empty holes" are being logged. They can be viewed in the Access database that Salvors, Inc. will make available for State inspection, and a copy of which will eventually be provided to the State. As with the Basemap system utilized prior to the change to DGPS, Salvors, Inc. proposes the same three year time lapse for providing complete location databases. As in the past, the State of Florida is always welcome to inspect these data at any time at Salvors, Inc. premises in Sebastian, Florida. These location data can be queried by simply calling up any locations where no artifacts are listed. A list of these locations would have been provided in this report, but it was 167 pages long, and thus, for the sake of brevity, it was not included. Salvors, Inc. will provide a copy of these locations in a separate correspondence if the mention of it there is not satisfactory. As for the "empty hole" locations pre-1996, Salvors, Inc. is diligently continuing data entry to establish a database for this information.

1985 ARCHAEOLOGICAL GUIDELINES FOR SHIPWRECK SITES OFF THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA SALVAGED UNDER CONTRACT TO THE STATE by COBB COIN COMPANY, INC., OR SUBCONTRACTORS OF COBB COIN COMPANY, INC.

      1.  Beach Marker Datums/Position Finding Stations

No wreck site will be salvaged until beach marker datums or position finder stations have been established and approved by the Division and Cobb. Cobb will establish position finder stations, and the Department of State, Division of Archives, History and Records Management will assist Cobb and its subcontractors in establishing beach marker datums.

     2. Data records

 Each boat must have on board one person certified by the Division as qualified  to perform the following tasks.

a. Use a sextant to shoot angles to adjacent pairs of beach markers.

b. Plot the resulting readings on a base map.

c. Understand and use the UTM coordinates system to record and describe  location of the salvage boat and bottom features.

d.  Understand and use an approved artifact tagging system which will allow  identification and provenience of all recovered artifacts to be maintained.

 e.  Understand and use an approved logbook system which will provide an  accurate record of  boat location, salvage activities, artifacts recovered by tag  number and location, and other useful information.

The Division and Cobb will conduct a workshop at the beginning of the salvage season to instruct crew members in these areas and will be further available throughout the season to instruct new recorders and assist in recording. At the conclusion of such instruction, the Division and Cobb will certify recorders who are able to maintain records in accordance with the guidelines.

      3.  Recording Blower Hole Locations and Contents and Other Bottom Features.

Locations of blower holes and other large bottom features will be determined by sextant or electronic position finding equipment. To ensure accuracy of recording blower hole locations sextant angles will be shot twice on the same hole, preferably by two different crew  members from a standard location on each boat as near the blower as practical while the blower is in operation. Each salvage boat will have and use a sextant with an accuracy of at-least one minute of arc; Mark Seven or Davis Master are recommended but any sextant of equal or better quality may be used. Sextant readings and blower hole or feature identification will be recorded on log book forms supplied or approved by the Division. Locations will also be recorded on 1:1000 or 1:2000 scale base maps supplied or approved by the Division.  Blower holes will be identified with a unique two letter abbreviation of the boat' s name  followed by consecutive numbers for each hole beginning at the start of the season and concluding at the end of the season.

In the log, brief descriptions and tag number of all artifacts recovered will be recorded for each blower hole so that the tag number is sufficient to determine the provenience of any artifact. Representative and all unusual blower hole profiles will be recorded noting the general order and thickness of recognizable sediments and the location of artifacts, fossils, or other useful information. Profiles which indicate that an earlier blower hole is being reopened should be noted. When possible a more accurate location description for important artifacts should be recorded, for example, in which quarter of the blower hole and from what sediment. Finally any interpretations of stratification or association which might be useful in understanding the process of artifact scatter and deposition should be noted.

     4.  Large Non-Structural Artifacts

Large objects like cannon and anchors will be tagged, left in place on the bottom and their UTM location recorded so that they may serve as a mapping and location references in future work. If such large objects interfere with underwater metal detector survey they may be moved to another location on the site with the approval of the Division or Cobb providing the original and new locations are recorded and mapped. Cannon, anchors, wood structure and other large objects will not be removed from the site unless transfer, storage, and conservation facilities approved by the division and Cobb are available.

     5.  Structural Remains and Major Artifact Clusters

Because structural remains and major artifact clusters have more important association than scattered material, greater care is required in recording provenience. Structural remains will be photographed when possible, and mapped at 1:50 scale on base maps supplied or approved by the Division to show position of wooden structural members, spikes, and other artifacts as well as details of construction if visible. Maps will be tied to the UTM coordinate system by taking sextant angles to beach datums from buoys marking mapping reference points on the bottom. Structural remains will not be moved or undermined unless mapping results have been approved by the Division and Cobb and unless transfer, storage, and conservation facilities approved by the Division and Cobb are available.

     6.   Artifact Tagging

All recovered artifacts  will be tagged individually or as a group when from a single provenience. Anchors and cannon recorded and left on the bottom will also be tagged. Tags will be plastic with permanent imprinted numbers and affixed to artifacts or bags of grouped artifacts by copper or stainless steel wire or nylon cord.

For small or delicate artifacts the tag may be placed in the same sealed protective container as the artifact. Large objects will be individually tagged. Small objects will be individually tagged if they are unique or have special value. Common objects such as pottery sherds, spikes, barrel hoop fragments, musket balls or lead sheathing can be bagged as a group and assigned a single tag number when from the same provenience. Bags will be of sufficient strength that they will not tear or break in handling or rot in storage before processing; cloth is recommended.

     7.  Artifact Handling

Artifacts may be divided into four categories; large objects, such-as anchors, cannon, and hull structure; miscellaneous encrusted objects (E.O.s); miscellaneous small identified non-precious artifacts; and identified unique or precious artifacts.After tagging and recording, artifacts in each category will be treated as follows:

A. Large Objects: These will be left in place on site until removal is approved by the Division and Cobb and wet storage facilities are available. Once removed, they  should be handled so as to minimize damage and should be kept moist. They must not be allowed to remain out of water more than three days.

B. Miscellaneous Encrusted Objects: These fall into two categories: i) general identifiable non-fragile E.O.s; and, ii) interesting or fragile E.O.s. The former category will generally include barrel hoops, spikes or general ship's hardware. The latter category includes swords, knives, small tools and implements. All E.O.s should be kept moist and E.O.s in the latter category must be kept moist, while on board and in transit to the storage and processing laboratory. Ballast stones and coquina rock may be separated from E.O.'s if their removal will facilitate handling and not break the E.O.  E.O.s  will not be broken open on board; instead they will be processed on shore at the storage and laboratory facility.

C. Common Miscellaneous Small Identified Non-Precious Artifacts:
These include such items as pottery  sherds , spikes , barrel hoop fragments, musket balls, and lead sheathing. These may be bagged as a group from each blow hole or excavation unit.  If Iron is included, the bags or objects will be kept moist.

 D. Identified Unique or Precious Artifacts: These will be assigned individual tags, unless they are clusters of coins, and placed in individual small plastic bags or protective jars to prevent damage. Unique and precious objects will be photographed at the processing facility and precious objects will be deposited with the bank on the day or evening of their recovery.

     8.  Artifact Processing and Stabilization

All artifacts recovered from sites are to be conveyed to the artifact processing and stabilization facility. This facility shall have storage and processing capability approved by the Division and Cobb and will provide sufficient security to ensure the protection of the artifacts which it receives. In addition to the routine processing of E.O. s and other artifacts needing stabilization and/or conservation, all precious artifacts - gold, silver and jewels - and unique artifacts will be photographed and the tag number and provenience data recorded on the photo back prior to being conveyed to the bank for safekeeping. At least two copies of these photographs will be prepared: one for the Division and one for Cobb. Final records and inventories of identified artifacts from each site and excavation unit will be prepared for each vessel's activities, and artifact overlay maps compiled at this facility so that results may be available to guide further salvage activities. Copies of all field records will be maintained at this facility during the salvage season and log sheet copies along with artifact photographs submitted to Cobb and the Division every two weeks.

   9.  Artifact Conservation

All fragile and unique artifacts of special interest will be sent to  the Treasure Salvors, Inc., Conservation  Laboratory in Key West. for cleaning, stabilization and conservation/restoration. Interesting encrusted objects should also be sent to  to Key West to be X-rayed as soon as possible after recovery.  Treasure Salvors, Inc., Conservation Laboratory staff and the Division Conservation  Laboratory  staff will cooperate closely in these activities.

   10.  Diver Safety

Spinning shafts, high vacuum suction intakes and propellers will be caged while  divers are in the water. Dive flags will be displayed and standard dive safety precautions will be followed.

    11. Project Supervision

In order to ensure that the quality of information recorded is adequate and that  the information is consolidated and interpreted in a professional manner, Cobb will provide a professional archaeologist and sufficient trained assistants to supervise the number of vessels used in exploration and salvage activities.

     12.  Reporting Requirements

A report on each site salvaged will be prepared by Cobb before the beginning of the next dive season. The division may assist in these activities. Copies of each report, journal article or manuscript resulting from data derived from salvage and/or exploration activities will be provided to the Division by Cobb.