| WHAT |
- Wreck of wooden-hulled and framed vessel, with artifacts of mixed pottery, porcelain and glass bottle cargo and ship's components
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| WHAT KIND OF SHIP |
- Apparently a sailing vessel (no visible evidence of machinery on wreck site) and probably a merchant ship, possibly either a coastal trader or trans-oceanic trading craft
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| WHERE |
- Approximately a quarter mile deep
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| WHEN DISCOVERED |
- During Odyssey Marine Exploration's search for the SS Republic
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| WHEN SUNK |
- Unknown - estimates range from 1775 to 1825, based on preliminary study of shipwreck photos and cargo artifacts retrieved for study
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| WHOSE SHIP |
- Unknown, but may be learned from archaeological study of the wreck and artifacts - trans-oceanic traders could have originated in China, South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, England, Holland, Spain or Sweden; coastal traders may have originated in the Gulf Coast or Atlantic coastal regions
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| HOW SUNK |
- Evidence from the wreck site thus far does not offer any clue - investigation of hull remains perhaps could reveal whether the ship suffered catastrophic damage as from a collision, destructive effects of a storm, or other causes.
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| HOW WRECK STUDIED |
- Odyssey Marine Exploration examined the wreck with a Phantom "Ultimate" Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Video was recorded and several artifacts were retrieved for potential identification of the ship and better description of the cargo
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| WHAT ACTION TAKEN |
- Odyssey Marine Exploration filed an "arrest" of the Blue China wreck with the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida in order to protect the site and lay claim to its contents
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Future exploration and archaeological recovery is being planned
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| DETAILS OF WRECK COMPONENTS |
- Thousands of artifacts are visible on the wreck site
- Stacks of large rectangular platters known as "chargers," in a porcelain-type configuration with "blue flow ware" decorative patterns fired on the surfaces
- Stacks of large shallow serving bowls similar to the platters
- Stacks of smaller plates or bowls of the same type
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- Several large pitchers with a sharp pouring spout and large handle, decorated in a blue-and-buff banded pattern
- At least one and possibly more flat-sided drinking glasses of clear glass similar to a modern "rocks glass" in size and shape
- "Ginger jars" decorated in a "blue flow" pattern identified as similar to Chinese export products produced during the Qianlong Period of the Qing Dynasty (ca. 1736 - 1795), scattered around the wreck site among pieces and piles of porcelain
- Dark green heavy glass bottles scattered in groups on parts of the wreck site - bottles are similar to a type used for spirits, wine or rum
- At least one brownish-beige stoneware pottery jug tentatively identified as English, but also consistent with American-made items (may have been part of ship's stores rather than cargo)
Various "wrapped" items which may be portions of cargo still covered in original packing
- Two anchors
- Miscellaneous elements of what appear to be ship's tackle
- A scattering of bricks, possibly either parts of ballast, ship's galley remains, or more cargo
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