Wednesday 21 August 2013

Shipwreck Maps Of Vessels Lost At Sea

By Tara Daniels


Marine travel can be traced back to ancient times and vessels that succumbed to the waterways they travelled on are recorded on shipwreck maps. Many people tend to associate these with treasure, and while this is true, they are also important pieces to understanding the history of water travel and the fates that so many faced while navigating our waterways. Paper maps date back centuries, but modern technology provides a digital version that is more accurate and detailed.

Military shipwrecks are keys to past battles. These are generally the property of the country that they originated in, although some countries try to claim those in their jurisdiction. Access to these ships is closely guarded by law and is generally granted only for the purpose of scientific research.

Other wrecks are fair game for anyone who discovers one and wishes to lay claim to it for salvage. These are often known as treasure wrecks, and there is much fantasy surrounding these findings, as claimants envision large amounts of treasure to be recovered from them. While there is much interest in this, and the possibility of great monetary gain, there is also a great amount of cost involved to explore the sites and recover the lost cargo contained within them.

Satellite and digital maps are able to provide extremely detailed locations of sunken vessels that were not previously available. These can help marine archaeologists, scientists and historians understand important information about weather and water current patterns and the reason the ship was lost. Current technology can even allow enthusiasts to visit and explore sites from their computers.

Visiting a nautical museum is a great way to gain knowledge about sunken ships. Many have displays of maps of popular wreck locations, items that are recovered from these lost vessels, and information pertaining to their crews, cargo, origins and how the ship met its fate. There are also websites that are devoted to this type of study, and many interesting facts can be obtained by visiting them.

There are millions of documented wrecks throughout the world. Some have been studied by divers, historians and scientists. Other lay under far too much water to be visited and may stay that way forever. Through the use of satellites, many sunken vessels that affect current travel patterns have been moved so as not to obstruct the movement of modern ships.

Recreational divers often visit vessels that have been intentionally sunk. Often, the reason this is done is to promote the growth of our ocean reefs. They can also provide a place of refuge and habitat for sea animals. Divers can experience visiting these wrecks in locations throughout the world.

Shipwreck maps can be a fascinating way to learn about the history of maritime travel. Whether in lakes or oceans, there is much to learn about our past from these sites, and popularity is spurned as technology provides accurate and detailed information about the whereabouts and details of these lost vessels.




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