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Buck Island Reef National Monument
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The 880-acre reserve of Buck Island National Monument includes the island, surrounding barrier reefs, and an inshore lagoon. The small, comparatively sheltered piece of marine real estate was first protected as a park in 1948. It was transferred to the NPS in 1961 and holds special significance as one of the first areas set aside for its underwater values.
There is significant potential for shipwrecks within the Park boundary. The one known site is located inshore of the barrier island and may represent the remains of a wreck deposited as a result of storm activity. There have been as least 20 major hurricanes documented for the St. Croix area since 1695. One of the more compelling possibilities in the area is the wreck of the General Abercrombie, a slave ship loaded with human cargo reported to have sunk off Buck Island in 1803. |
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Besides the possibility of shipwreck sites, there is potential for the presence of vernacular craft, small boats and other vessels that were involved in the agricultural activities on Buck Island during the colonial period. There is also the possibility that submerged area in the vicinity of historical docking or beaching areas contain significant artifact concentrations.
No comprehensive survey of this area has yet been conducted by SRC, SEAC or outside institutions.
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- December-1988 Several members of SRC engaged in an intensive survey of nearby Salt River Bay, St. Croix, conducted monitoring dives in the park. Additional recommendations were made for mag survey of Buck Island.
- September-1985 Larry Murphy from the SRC did a recon of the area and recommended a magnetometer survey.
- 1976-Wayne Prokopetz from SEAC inventoried known archeological sites at the monument including a prehistoric site with ceramics, a historic house site on the upper elevations and a 19th or 20th century shipwreck site.
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Related Links
Buck Island Reef National Monument
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