PB2Y Coronado Flying Boat Archaeology and Site Formation Studies, Tanapag Lagoon, Saipan

Abstract

The focus of this thesis is the further study of both pre- and post-depositional site formation processes that affect submerged WWII aircraft, specifically an unidentified US Navy Consolidated PB2Y Coronado flying boat in Tanapag Lagoon, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The study of submerged aircraft is a relatively recent field of study in maritime archaeology. With the inclusion of aircraft in the Sunken Military Craft Act of 2004, these studies have become increasingly more important to stakeholders such as the US Navy. Site formation process studies stipulate that a crucial aspect of the accurate interpretation of a site first requires a thorough understanding of the processes that create and subsequently alter the site. For terrestrial archaeologists, as well as those maritime archaeologists studying shipwreck sites, a database of this knowledge exists. For submerged aircraft, however, this database is incomplete. This thesis will contribute to the overall understanding and interpretation of submerged aircraft sites through the studies of the processes that created and subsequently affected the Tanapag Lagoon PB2Y Coronado site. Archaeological and historical evidence will be examined to identify the specific aircraft, determine its cause of crash, and understand any cultural or natural factors that may have affected the site. This will contribute further information about site formation processes on three different levels: specific (Consolidated PB2Y Coronado), general (flying boats), and broad (wreck type and artifact distribution). Further, this information will be used to identify management challenges specific to this site, and offer solutions to those challenges. The management issues and solutions, as well as a completed application for the National Register of Historic Places, will be turned over to the relevant stakeholders. This will assist in the proper protection and management of not only this specific site, but will also be applicable to other submerged aircraft sites throughout the Pacific in particular and the world in general.