Digging operations were slowed during the 1996 field season because of the large number of objects discovered and the complex manner in which they were deposited, one on top of the other or even twisted together. As a result, the shipwreck was not completely excavated in 1996 as had been hoped at the beginning of the season. Therefore, it had to be protected until the next expedition, and the best solution was to rebury it.
Reburying discoveries is common practice in underwater archaeology. Often, shipwrecks cannot be fully excavated in a single season or campaign. This is not surprising since working under water is a long, difficult process, especially when water is deep, a situation that shortens diving time considerably. Finds have to be protected between expeditions to ensure they remain in good condition until the next season. This is done by reburying them temporarily.
Reburial operations were difficult at Anse aux Bouleaux because of the site's location in very shallow water and its exposure to the elements. Measures taken to safeguard the archaeological remains in 1995 demonstrated that the effects of water and sediment movement are unpredictable and can vary widely, making it very hard to foresee how these factors will be affected by storms and wind. Nevertheless, the experience gained that year helped the archaeologists to make adjustments and to avoid repeating certain errors. For example, they decided not to cover the site again with the geotextile used in 1995. Waves had lifted a corner of the material, which then pushed the water downward, eroding the sandy bottom.
The shipwreck was reburied in three stages. First, the remains of the hull were covered with rubber-sheathed lead ingots weighing 25 pounds each. A total of 1,800 pounds was thus uniformly distributed over the entire surface of the structure. These weights replaced the stones and sediment that had previously rested on top of the hull and kept it stable. Next, the site was covered with 1,200 sand bags, which, on account of their shock-absorption capacity, offered effective protection, based on the previous year's experience, particularly against ice. Lastly, the entire site was buried in loose sand using hydraulic dredges at the disposal of Parks Canada. In all, some 60 tons of material were used to protect the archaeological remains.
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