Expeditions
Since 1977, research at the Monitor site has been directed toward documenting the wreck in detail and understanding how it has been affected by natural deterioration and human activities. Since research itself may result in harm to the resource, or increase the risk of harm, all research conducted at the Monitor site is subject to the sanctuary's permit regulations.
 |
| Divers working to recover turret. (Photo: NOAA) |
Approaching the Monitor on the first submersible dive in 1977, an archaeologist spotted a brass navigation lantern near the turret. This lantern has remained of particular interest because its red Fresnel lens, evidence that it was a signal lantern. This is perhaps the same lantern Paymaster William Keeler mentions in his vivid account of watching the Monitor’s red lantern as it vanished and reappeared on the dark, stormy ocean the night the ship sank.
Major dives in 1979 recovered numerous small artifacts. The Monitor’s unique four-fluked anchor was recovered in 1983. In 1987, NOAA completed baseline studies at the site that were essential for determining the rate of deterioration of the hull and changes in the sanctuary environment.
In the 1990s NOAA began noticing an alarming pattern of accelerated deterioration in several areas of the wreck. In 1996, NOAA was given a mandate by Congress to come up with a plan to preserve the Monitor. In 1998, NOAA released a long range plan that outlined a six-step proposal for stabilizing portions of the Monitor’s hull and recovering the vessel’s steam engine and rotating gun turret.
 |
| Propellar recovery. (Photo: NOAA) |
The Monitor’s nine-foot cast iron propeller and eleven feet of propeller shaft were recovered in 1998 with the help of the United States Navy. NOAA and the Navy began planning larger recovery expeditions in 1999, and implemented the stabilization portion of the plan in 2000 and 2001. In 2001 alone, more than 250 artifacts, including the vibrating lever steam engine, arrived at The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Virginia to be conserved and prepared for exhibition a the USS Monitor Center.
 |
| Turret recovery. |
In 2002, a 41-day recovery effort culminated in the successful raising of the gun turret and two 11-inch Dahlgren smoothbore cannons from the ocean floor. The engine, cannons and gun turret are currently undergoing conservation at The Mariners’ Museum.
In 2006, a team of researchers conducted a major mapping expedition to the Monitor to collect high-resolution digital still and video imagery that will be used to generate a high quality photographic mosaic of the site.
 |
| Photographic Mosaic of the site. (Photo: NOAA) |
General research goals for the sanctuary include the continued scientific recovery and dissemination of historical and cultural information preserved at the site, the continued scientific study of the Monitor as an artificial reef, and the careful review and monitoring of privately-sponsored research activities in order to ensure that the site is protected and preserved.
|
