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The Millbrook Society is involved in many aspects of archaeology. Our primary involvement is around historic sites in the area; however, we have also been involved in marine archaeology. In recent times, that area of interest was under the Maritime Division led by Michael Moore. Michael Moore resigned from the division leadership, and later passed away in January of 2009. Since we depended so much on his expertise, and with no one to replace him, the division was closed in 2006. The purpose of the Maritime Division was to explore, research and document physical sites and other entities that pertain to Man's relationship with the water and to disseminate that knowledge. This was done through the physical exploration and documentation of sites, recovery and the curating of selected diagnostic artifacts, historical research and the publication and distribution of informative and educational media. The activities of the division included sounding in waters, mapping of significant sites, diving on known shipwrecks, and research of islands and seaports. Many artifacts from the projects of this division are displayed or archived in the Society's museum.
Our past projects have
included the following:
EMPRESS OF IRELAND - Over 1100 poor Irish emigrants perished in this, the "Poor Man's Titanic", just two years after that famous tragedy. The division conducted two expeditions up in these far north Canadian waters. Dealing with polar storms, currents, and near freezing waters, the division dive-tested several diving technologies ranging from simple SCUBA through Argon-Air-Oxygen composite. The late Ed Suarez, originator of our Maritime Division, loaded down for a dive on the Empress of Ireland (see picture at right). MAIR AND CRANMER - This vessel sunk in the 19th century under mysterious circumstances with allegations of mutiny and murder. Following an extensive search of contemporary records, the division conducted several expeditions attempting to locate the wreck. While the Mair and Cranmer has not yet been located, the division made a collateral discovery of the Birch Lake, a relatively modern example of the rarely found vessel with wood-over-iron "composite" construction. BRAZIL, DOROTHY, and CITY OF ANNAPOLIS - In the eight-year effort of finding and exploring this trio of wrecks, the division invented and perfected the "Virtual Bearing" technique of position finding which is gaining general acceptance in the maritime community. PORT PENN PROJECT - This port is located in the state of Delaware on the western shore of the Delaware River. This project was conducted to learn more about the port and its association with William Penn. It is known that immigrants coming to this country once landed at this port, similar to Ellis Island, but much earlier in our history. REEDY ISLAND PROJECT - This island is situated in the Delaware River and is essentially unused today. This project was conducted to determine the feasibility of performing archaeology on the island to research its past uses. The island was surveyed from the water's edge. Due to the level of requirements to enter onto the island, the project was abandoned.
Those interested in the results of the Society's various maritime projects should visit our museum.
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Weekly meetings are held Wednesday nights from 7:30 - 9:30 PM. Please come and join us.
For additional information, please contact: The Millbrook Society 32 North York Road P.O. Box 506, Hatboro, PA 19040 (215)957-1877
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