Determining Seasonal Corrosion Rates in Ferrous-Hulled Shipwrecks : A Case Study of the USS Huron

Abstract

This is a study designed to examine if there are seasonal environmental factors that affect the corrosion rates of ferrous-hulled shipwrecks in an archaeological setting. The remains of USS Huron, a warship that sank off the coast of Nags Head, North Carolina in 1877 is used as a case study. This study correlates rates of corrosion to seasonal variables such as changes in temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and sediment coverage. Understanding the complex relationship between ferrous-hulled shipwrecks and the environment is critical for the creation of adequate management plans to protect cultural resources. In addition to corrosion monitoring, this study utilizes three-dimensional modeling to enhance understanding of Huron's site formation processes.