Brother Jonathan Exhibit
Brother Jonathan Exhibit - Archaelogical Significance
(Source: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, National Park Services, United States Department of the Interior, July 5, 1995)
Observations on the archaeological
remains of BROTHER JONATHAN are based solely on a video
reconnaissance conducted with a remotely operated vehicle
in 1993; additional reconnaissance, still photography,
and the preparation of a site map have yet to be conducted.
The observed characteristics of the site, however, as
well as its location, indicate that the identity of
the wreck is BROTHER JONATHAN.
The wreck lies embedded in the sand and silt bottom
at a depth of some 250 feet off St. George Reef, and
to the southeast of Jonathan Rock. The wreck lies inside
a Court-injuncted zone near Dragon Channel. The wreck
is clear and visible on side-scan sonar as a linear
target with a slightly curved, "ship" shape.
The principal feature on the site is a substantial portion
of the lower hull for an estimated two-thirds of the
steamers original length, which has survived to a level
below the original waterline. The hull appears to be
resting to port, with the outer hull planking and copper
sheathing protruding from the bottom. Video reconnaissance
shows surviving ceiling planking and the exposed ends
of floors and frames. The line of separation on the
hull appears to be close to the turn of the bilge in
some areas, with some frames and upper hull resting
at an angle on the bottom where they have separated
from the floors.
Visible portions of the ship's diagonal iron strapping
are evident, and a layer of iron concretion covers many
exposed timbers, perhaps accounting for the survival
of substantial timber remains. The upper hull has apparently
been consumed by marine organisms, as evidenced by the
presence of exposed large drifts and other fasteners,
in some cases with partially consumed timber adhering
to it. The unconsumed portions, impregnated with oxides,
are a common indicator of organic activity. While a
layer of silt covers many timbers as well, and bottom
sediments are probably dynamic, cyclic burial and uncovering
are unlikely at the site given the presence of a substantial
colony of anemones.
Machinery exposed on the site includes the port paddlewheel
shaft, with hubs. The arms are missing. Inside the hull,
the engine machinery is present, although displaced.
The cylinder lies on its side, separated from the bedplate,
with the D-valve exposed. The boilers are present, although
the jacket of one has apparently corroded, exposing
articulated rows of boiler tubes. What appears to be
the heat exchanger lies near the exposed boiler. Various
steam lines, rods and shafts lie disarticulated inside
the hull and in this area.
A number of ceramic artifacts lie scattered outside
the hull and inside it. At or after the time of the
vessel's, a ceramic gun bottle, a dark glass wine bottle
and ceramic plates with New York makers marks were recovered.
Rows of other plates, bowls, and a chamber pot were
observed on site, some of them lying atop exposed floor
and ceiling timbers and on frame ends. Their presence
may represent post-sinking deposition as intact structure
was consumed by marine organisms. The appearance of
the wreck is that of a vessel that sank more or less
intact and has slowly disintegrated through organic
activity, leaving a number of artifacts in relative
position to their original placement in the vessel.
This argues for a high level of archaeological integrity
and research value as the site formation process was,
after sinking damage, apparently gentle and gradual