Andrew Craig-Bennett
10-28-2009, 11:53 AM
I have just returned from a lunch at the National Maritime Museum where we enjoyed a talk by Robert Grenier on his search for the ships.
It seems likely that the wrecks of the ships will be found up quite soon - Dr Grenier has some rather compelling new evidence, in particular sheets of copper, stripped from wooden sailing vessels which conform to Admiralty specifications. However, what I want to report here is an exchange between the Director and Dr Grenier:
Dr Fewster asked Dr Grenier whether teredo was an issue, because of the cold water, citing the VASA which is unaffected by worm damage ; Dr Grenier, who is an an unusually good position to know, said that there would be worm damage - low temperature does not stop teredo, but the brackish water of the Baltic had inhibited the teredo from attacking the VASA.
This was news to me!:eek:
About Robert Grenier, O.C.
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/upload/img_100/Robert-Grenier.jpg (http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conMediaFile.15556)For more than four decades Robert Grenier has been a figurehead in the world of archaeology and underwater conservation. Among other achievements as Chief of Parks Canada's Underwater Archaeology section, he discovered North America's oldest heritage wreck off the coast of Labrador, the Basque Spanish Galleon San Juan of 1565. The innovative methods he developed there made the Red Bay site an international model for scientific research. The wreck gained a unique international status when selected for the UNESCO logo for the protection of the world underwater cultural heritage. A great communicator and renowned consultant, Robert Grenier has been associated with a number of films and projects, particularly the protection of the Titanic and the Empress of Ireland and, for the last two decades, the protection of HMS Erebus and Terror to which he has dedicated the last phase of his career. Recognition for his career achievements led to the attribution of many national and international awards, including Officer of the Order of Canada and more recently in July, the Admirals of Canada award. Through his many commitments, such as the chairmanship of an international UNESCO committee, he helps us understand the importance of preserving our underwater heritage so that it will continue to reveal to us the secrets of these ships and of the courageous men who manned them.
It seems likely that the wrecks of the ships will be found up quite soon - Dr Grenier has some rather compelling new evidence, in particular sheets of copper, stripped from wooden sailing vessels which conform to Admiralty specifications. However, what I want to report here is an exchange between the Director and Dr Grenier:
Dr Fewster asked Dr Grenier whether teredo was an issue, because of the cold water, citing the VASA which is unaffected by worm damage ; Dr Grenier, who is an an unusually good position to know, said that there would be worm damage - low temperature does not stop teredo, but the brackish water of the Baltic had inhibited the teredo from attacking the VASA.
This was news to me!:eek:
About Robert Grenier, O.C.
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/upload/img_100/Robert-Grenier.jpg (http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conMediaFile.15556)For more than four decades Robert Grenier has been a figurehead in the world of archaeology and underwater conservation. Among other achievements as Chief of Parks Canada's Underwater Archaeology section, he discovered North America's oldest heritage wreck off the coast of Labrador, the Basque Spanish Galleon San Juan of 1565. The innovative methods he developed there made the Red Bay site an international model for scientific research. The wreck gained a unique international status when selected for the UNESCO logo for the protection of the world underwater cultural heritage. A great communicator and renowned consultant, Robert Grenier has been associated with a number of films and projects, particularly the protection of the Titanic and the Empress of Ireland and, for the last two decades, the protection of HMS Erebus and Terror to which he has dedicated the last phase of his career. Recognition for his career achievements led to the attribution of many national and international awards, including Officer of the Order of Canada and more recently in July, the Admirals of Canada award. Through his many commitments, such as the chairmanship of an international UNESCO committee, he helps us understand the importance of preserving our underwater heritage so that it will continue to reveal to us the secrets of these ships and of the courageous men who manned them.