 |
M.A.R.C. |
|
The Vamar Wreck Site
(ex-Eleanor Bolling)
The Vamar Wreck Site (ex-Eleanor Bolling) |
 Eleanor Bolling calmly underway |
An invitation was extended to the MARC group to investigate the wreck of the Vamar, formerly Eleanor Bolling. The Eleanor Bolling is a historically significant vessel as it was one of the Antarctic expedition vessels used by Admiral Richard Byrd in his famous quest to circum aviate the South Pole in 1928. |
 Admiral Richard Byrd |
|
The photo to the right shows Bryd's famous Tri-Motor Ford airplane being hoisted from the decks of Eleanor Bolling onto the Ross Ice Shelf. The MARC Team traveled to Port St. Joe, Florida in July 2002 to identify and map this wreck in a joint effort with the Florida Department of Archaeological Research. The purpose was to identify the wreck and assess the site for nomination as the State of Florida’s Ninth Underwater Archaeological Preserve. |
|
 Roger Smith and Pete Kendrigan review notes taken on-site.
|
Dr. Roger Smith and Mr. Chris Horell, marine archaeologists form the State of Florida, met the MARC team in Port St. Joe to conduct diving operations from the MARC vessel Seahorse. Extensive underwater video and trilateration was performed resulting in the creation of a photo mosaic and preliminary site plan. The Eleanor Bolling was named by Byrd after his own beloved mother. This historic vessel was the primary work horse of the expedition which actually towed the other expeditionary vessel, City of New York, in her wake through the polar regions. Elleanor Bolling also carried the majority of building materials for the Antarctic colony of Little America and the famous aircraft Byrd would use to circumaviate the South Pole itself for the first time in history. Many historians regard this expedition and historic flight as the "moonshot" of the 1920's. Until now, this great source of American pride was lost to obscurity beneath the waves in the Gulf of Mexico while owned by the Vamar shipping comapany. The completed site plan and photo mosaic can be seen by scrolling down to the bottom of this page. The diver was deliberately left in this photo mosaic to provide perspective and scale for this project. Look closely. You may find him by the square white writing slate our divers always carry... |
|
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ELEANOR BOLLING: - Byrd research vessel and supply ship. Brought first successful colonists to Antarctic continent. - Arrived in Bay of Whales, Dec. 28, 1928 to establish Little America. - Brought first mechanized snow travel (converted Model “T” Fords) for successful testing in polar region. - First reinforced metal hulled vessel to be used to explore polar ice packs. - Brought Byrd’s Tri-motor aircraft to be used for first ever successful circum-aviation of the South Pole. - Brought equipment and necessities for first intercontinental radio broadcast. - Sank March 1942 carrying building materials for Naval Base to be built at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, |
The Eleanor Bolling Photo Mosaic © Copyright 2006 Marine Archaeological Research & Conservation Inc. |
|
Vamar, ex-Eleanor Bolling, ex-Chelsea, ex-Kilmernock. Built: May, 1919 By Smith Docks Co. Ltd., Middleboro, England. Official Hull#: 227064. L.O.A.: 170 Feet, Beam: 30 Feet, Displacement: 598 Tons Type: Steel, Single Deck, Single Screw 980 HP Triple Expansion Sank: March 21, 1942. Location: 29 53.955N 85 27.799W |
© Copyright 2006 Marine Archaeological Research & Conservation Inc. Eleanor Bolling Site Plan |
