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A close-up view of the bow. Marine life is spread over the wreckage, with the exception of the copper coating which retains its anti-fouling power to keep the hull free of marine organisms such as Teredo navalis (shipworm) that would otherwise burrow into the wood and consume the hull or the speed of the ship. (Photo: NOAA Ocean Exploration and Research Office)

Ocean researchers made an "unexpected and exciting" discovery by testing new remotely operated vehicle equipment earlier this month.

Four days in a The sea-trial expedition led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the ROV sonar equipment named Deep Discoverer, has detected a shipwreck. The mission team investigated and discovered what the researchers think is a mid-nineteenth-century wooden sailboat at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.

"Generally, when we find / explore shipwrecks, we have basic information that allows us to search for a target," said Emily Crum, spokeswoman for NOAA's Ocean Exploration and Research, at the US Navy. Observer Charlotte. information suggesting that the wreck was there. The team has just fallen on it. "

The discovery required a "rapid change of operations" and the ship's captain and the mission team extended the three-hour dive to examine the ship.

The numbers "2109" are visible along the trailing edge of the rudder. The pattern of the nails securing the copper sheath is clearly visible. (Photo: NOAA Ocean Exploration and Research Office)

"After a multitude of phone calls and e-mails to naval archaeologists across the country, the experts listened to a live video from the bottom of the sea, bringing their expertise to them while they were virtually reaching diving, "according to a NOAA press release.

The new ROVs recorded a high definition video of the wreckage which, according to marine archaeologists, is a schooner or a brig, measuring about 124 feet long and covered with a copper sheath covering the bottom of the hull, which is relatively intact until the waterline.

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The experts were able to deduce from the construction period of the vessel according to the characteristics of the construction, but its platform, trade, nationality and crew are not identified.

A number of copper and iron artifacts were observed at the site, but the researchers noted a lack of personal items. The entire structure above the waterline is also missing, and some pieces of wood seemed charred, which could indicate that the ship caught fire before sinking.

Follow N & # 39; dea Yancey-Bragg on Twitter: @NdeaYanceyBragg

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