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Divers mapping Stanley wreck site, Isle Royale NP, MI

The USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

The coral reef environment at Biscayne NP, Florida

A green seaturtle off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii

Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve

In November 1989 the SRC (then known as SCRU) traveled to Salt River Bay, St Croix in the US Virgin Islands to assist the Southeast Region in data collection for the establishment and management of a Christopher Columbus Historic Landing Site. The goal of the Salt River Bay survey was to determine the presence or absence of submerged cultural remains within the project area and, if possible, determine their nature, extent and potential significance.

The Salt River system is located along the north-central coast of St. Croix, and contains the most significant historical and natural resources known in the Virgin Islands. The human history of Salt River predats Columbus by more that 1,000 years. The lowlands at the eastern side of the bay contain remnants of pre-Columbian burials dated to 1150. In 1493, Columbus anchored his 17 ships outside the reef and sent his soldiers ashore to investigate an Indian village. While returning to their ships, a fight ensued between the Spaniards and the Carib Indians (the first ever documented), which led to the naming of the eastern shore Cabos de las Fleches (Cape of Arrows). Within a few decades Europeans controlled the Caribbean, including St. Croix; native peoples were either killed or retreated south to safer islands. A total of seven flags have flown over Salt River Spanish, English, Dutch, Knithts of Malta, French, Danish, and after 1917, United States.

The underwater reef environment of Salt River Bay

Based upon the survey conducted within Salt River Bay and its surrounding environments, it was clear that the cultural history of the region was represented in the archeological record. Areas that had been impacted from commercial development and dredging to accommodate roads and buildings, had been adversely effected and retained little value to archeological reconstruction of the past. The sizeable non-impacted areas had easily discernible archeological remains.

The SRC noted that the evidence of random development at Salt River Bay had eroded the cultural resources in small bites rather that in a large, definite event. A recommendation to a planned approach, rather than a reactive strategy to potential threats, was needed to ensure the preservation of cultural resources at Salt River Bay

1989 - The NPS Southeast Archeological Center (SEAC) in cooperation with the SRC conducted visual and remote sensing surveys of this area (then a proposed park). The SRC concentrated on a magnetic survey that generated significant anomalies within the murky waters of the bay. To test these would have entailed significant disturbance of the area and the decision was made not to excavate. Some materials were also located in the clear-water areas outside of the bay. Toni Carrell was SRC team leader, she coordinated with John Ehrenhard from SEAC. Lenihan, Eng and Bradford from SRC and Dave Brewer from SEAC were also involved with the project.

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Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve