PRESS
RELEASE
Historic Anchor Recovery
Contact: Robert Mester,
Underwater Atmospheric Systems
Phone: 253.841.8135 or 253.770.8098
Date: 7-14-99
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Dimmer Family Foundation has gifted to the Washington State Historical Museum the recovery, restoration and display of an old sailing anchor, now resting in Commencement Bay, Tacoma Washington.
After nearly 200 Years an old anchor will once again see the surface. Jim Delgato, Director of the Vancouver Maritime Museum, and US’s most renowned Underwater/Shipwreck Archaeologist Stated:
“This anchor is an anchor of the era of Vancouver.” Discovered in 1994 by Underwater Atmospheric Systems, President Robert Mester during a side scan survey of Commencement Bay, “we may never know the exact providence of this anchor but we do know that it is an anchor from the era when Vancouver and later Charles Wilkes expedition explored the Northwest. The anchor rests in the mouth of the original Puyallup River. The Army Corp of Engineers moved the river early in this century to it’s current location. I feel this artifact has been covered in mud for over a century – the possible recent seismic activity has uncovered the site and this explains the remarkable condition of the wood stock.”
The anchor will be recovered on Friday the 16th @ approximately 0930 at the end of D Street in Tacoma. Sunnen Crane, Tacoma has generously donated crane services for the recovery. The anchor will be shipped by Lynden Freight to Texas A&M University the Nautical Archaeology Program under the care of Professor Donny Hamilton and Jim Jobling. After restoration it will be returned to The Washington State Historical Museum, in Tacoma Washington. Contact at the museum is Lynn Anderson 798.5911.
For more info Contact:
Robert Mester or Rick Hansen
Maritime Consultants LLC,
253.770.8098
Delgado, James P.
7121 Granville Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6P 4X6
CANADA (604) 257-8301 (Office)