Initial Concept model of the light frame for the photo mosaic
Final built version in the U.S. We will assemble another frame to use in Cherbourg
Levels and depth above bottom indicators mounted on video camera
Me testing light sled and camera at Square Lake, MN the week before departure.
Light sled underwater during testing at Square Lake, MN
Meanwhile in North Carolina, Gordon and crew ready the Spirit of Mobile for the Atlantic crossing.
The boat is loaded on a cradle.
And ready to be trucked to Charleston.
Gordon looking out his window at the Royal Southern Yacht Club.
The tour of Stonehenge was pretty awesome.
The Salisbury Cathedral 400' tall Spire. It was built in 40 years in the 13th century.
Gothic Architecture inside the Salisbury Cathedral.
In the Hamble Yacht Service yard were several world class around the world sailing racers.
Spirit of Mobile after launch at Hamble Yacht Service in Hamble, England.
On the long English Channel crossing we had plenty of time for taking photos.
Taking turns at the helm helped pass the time.
French Dive Boat Little Pocket on its way to the CSS Alabama site.
Jacque Flambard in the Zodiac used to tend the French divers.
Joe, the French dive team leader talks over the dive plan with the French team.
The French divers Serge and Gel ready for their plunge.
One of the canons from the CSS Alabama is on display at La Cite De La Mer.
The CSS Alabama Group, L. to R. Ken Merryman, Curtis Deyo, Mike Lavender, Rick, Billy Ray Morris, Gordon Watts.
Mike, Rick, and Curtis work on the boat transom.
Jacque talks to Captain Searge on the Little Pocket on radio.
Safety diver Mathias watches on Little Pocket Stern.
While surveying the area near the aft pivot canon divers recover a block that was probably used to move the canon
The white board map of the wreck site. The locations of all recovered artifacts are recorded on the site plan.
At last after a month at bouncing around Europe the container arrive.
The container was unloaded in an hour and went through customs in the afternoon.
The priority was to unbox the equipment needed to make the mooring and set up the dredges for the canon recovery.
Rick and Curt load the van. Everyone was glad to get the rest of their clothing after two to three weeks.
Also at Cherbourg Maritime was six racks of mixed gas--enough for twenty dives for four divers.
Now we assembled the air hose on to the mooring line. I actually got into a photo.
Michelle explains the plan for setting the mooring. The French CNP divers will set the mooring.
The divers discuss the plan and make suggestions. Conditions are not the best so the job will not be easy.
It's a rough day out and Gordon and Mike secure the mooring to the deck.
After the mooring we hope to try some dredging. The air dredges are powered by the IR Compressor.
Rick and Serge operate the crane to lift the compressor off the trailer and lower it onto the boat deck.
Loading the compressor at low tide make for a long drop down the boat.
The 800 pound compressor is carefully positioned and secured to the deck.
The dredges with their large exhaust hoses are stored on the fly bridge.