In 1996, the dig lasted from July 8 to August 30 and focused on the most vulnerable part of the site, i.e. the exposed part of the shipwreck. The Parks Canada archaeological team consisted of Jim Ringer, Marc-André Bernier, Peter Waddell and Chriss Ludin. Two archaeology students, Nicolas Cadieux and Érik Phaneuf, were also hired to assist the specialists.
To facilitate the rescue operations, the diving team first moored a pontoon above the shipwreck. Measuring 3.35 metres by 7.3 metres, the pontoon served as a diving base and as a platform for installing the suction dredges used to remove the sand from the site. After a storm on July 20, the Red Bay, a boat owned by Parks Canada, was brought in to make operations even more safe and efficient. A total of 665 diving hours were clocked up during the summer.
Preparing the excavation equipment was no easy task. Pumps, suction dredges and grid systems had to be mounted or assembled. The researchers also had to ensure that all the underwater recording material was ready: drawing boards, waterproof paper, levels, rulers, and so forth. Everything had to be on hand once diving operations began; otherwise, a great deal of time would be wasted. Photographic and video equipment also had to be prepared. Over 1,100 photographs were taken and 10 hours of videos were made in 1996.
Some 40 volunteer amateur divers, mainly from the North Shore, also took part in the archaeological activities and in the conservation work conducted in the site's field laboratory located in the old fish farm. Around 30 were involved in the actual digging since they had taken the special training offered by experts from Parks Canada and the Centre de conservation du Québec. During the course, the divers were introduced to underwater archaeology, naval architecture, 17th- and 18th-century material culture and the conservation of objects found under water. During the field work, each amateur diver was accompanied by an archaeologist who taught him or her the basics of underwater archaeology. Each was gradually given more responsibility and eventually took part in all stages of the fieldwork: laying out the grid; digging; and recording, removing and cataloguing the objects found on the site. Every evening, after the excavation work, each diver prepared a report on the day's activities in his or her notebook.
Kateri Morin from the Centre de conservation du Québec was responsible for the conservation of objects in the field, while her colleague, André Bergeron, was in charge of coordinating conservation activities with Parks Canada laboratories in Ottawa.
Excavation Work
The excavation strategy consisted in uncovering the archaeological remains starting at the northern end of the already visible section of hull. The structural features and artifacts associated with the wreck were found in three separate soil layers: a surface layer of sand; a middle layer of sand, gravel and stone; and a bottom layer of clay. Together, these deposits measured up to 80 centimetres thick.
Approximately 40 percent of the site's total surface area was excavated, as well as nearly 90 percent of the surviving portion of the hull. To plot the location of features, a grid of 2-metre by 2-metre squares was laid out over the site using an aluminium frame. A letter and a number were assigned to each square. As shown by the plan, the ship's hull was located mainly in squares 6M, 8M, 10M, 12M, 14M and 16M, while several firearms were found in 14N and a cauldron in 16N.
Each diver had a notebook in which he or she recorded information on the stratigraphy, the location and characteristics of artifacts and hull features, and the daily progress of the excavations. Plans, drawings and sections as well as a list of photographs and videos were also included in the notebook.
The objects were catalogued in the field laboratory based on their provenience, and the information was entered in a computerized database to facilitate future analysis.
The actual digging was done with suction dredges. As in 1995, a plan was made of the site to plot the main visible features. In addition, test pits were dug in areas buried in sand to determine the site's limits more precisely.
First Clues to the Type of Vessel
Almost all of the surviving portion of the hull was uncovered during the
excavation. It probably corresponds to the port side of the ship and measures
8.5 metres long by 2 metres wide. No trace of the keel, keelson, stern post
or stem post was found. The vessel was built mainly of oak, which is not
surprising since this type of wood is very rot-resistant. However, white
pine was also used, suggesting that the ship was built in North America.
The visible section of hull comprised 31 frames, 2 ceiling planks, at least
4 outer planks and a wale (See Disassembly of the Ship's Structure (1997)
for definitions of naval architecture terms). Some of the framing timbers
were still covered in bark, a quite unusual feature which may indicate that
the ship was built very quickly, with limited means and little experience.
Definitely not a warship, it was probably used as a merchant or a fishing
vessel before serving in Phips' expedition.
