Intertidal Shipwrecks

A global array of case studies demonstrating practices for preserving the maritime cultural heritage of vulnerable shipwrecks

Shipwreck sites in intertidal zones—the parts of shorelines that are exposed at low tide and covered at high tide—are located within dynamic environments. Periodically uncovered and reburied, these stranded vessels are affected by surf and currents that accelerate the decay of their remains, and their materials are often salvaged. This volume presents 17 case studies from 9 countries on the management of intertidal shipwrecks and strategies for conservation, archaeological research, and public outreach focused on such sites.

These case studies explore topics such as legislation protecting shipwrecks along the Pacific coast of New Zealand, the ways wreck sites in Germany’s North Sea coastline are safeguarded and studied, local community participation in the preservation of shipwrecks along the Patagonian Atlantic coast, and the effects of climate change on sites along the Potomac River in Maryland. Pioneering intertidal resource managers discuss innovative strategies for preventing damage to ships and losses to local maritime heritage. The first volume to examine these sites at varying scales across the globe, Intertidal Shipwrecks is an important resource as climate impacts increase and the role of citizen science programs becomes more significant.

A volume in the series Society and Ecology in Island and Coastal Archaeology, edited by Victor D. Thompson and Scott M. Fitzpatrick