Ocean Day to kick-off New B Under the Sea Campaign

Dr. Kelly Gleason recording  an anchor at Parker shipwreck site at Kure Atoll.

NOAA/NMSP

News Release Date: July 9, 2014

Contact: Karissa DeCarlo, 508-996-4095 x6108

Meet a Maritime Archaeologist and enjoy free activities for all ages

New Bedford, MA—Thousands of whaling voyages sailed around the world from New Bedford, but only one whaleship, the Charles W. Morgan, remains above water.Much of New Bedford's whaling history is still hidden beneath the sea. On Monday, July 14, children and adults alike can celebrate their love of the ocean, discover the exciting world of underwater exploration, and add their voice to the "New B Under the Sea" campaign. The national park will be hosting guest speaker Kelly Gleason, Maritime Heritage Coordinator/Maritime Archaeologist from Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Hawaii. Dr. Gleason will show the documentary film "Lightning Strikes Twice: The Tragic Tale of the Whaleship Two Brothers" and will lead a question and answer session about her career. The day will feature the New B Under the Sea introductory film, opportunity to earn your underwater explorer junior ranger badge, document lost ships in an "excavation" pool, make and take fish craft, ocean current discovery, layer cake investigation and a whale touch table hosted by the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The "Pacific Cousins" exhibit will also be on display. earn your underwater explorer junior ranger badge, document lost ships in an "excavation" pool, make and take fish craft, ocean current discovery, a whale touch table hosted by the New Bedford Whaling Museum, and the"Pacific Cousins" exhibitThe "Pacific Cousins" exhibit will also be on display. These events take place from 10:00 AM-4:30 PM, rain or shine and are free and open to people of all ages. Groups of ten or more are requested to contact the park in advance. New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is located at 33 William Street, downtown New Bedford. 

The schedule for the day is as follows: 

All day activities from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: earn your underwater explorer junior ranger badge, document lost ships in an "excavation" pool, make and take fish craft, ocean current discovery, a whale touch table hosted by the New Bedford Whaling Museum, and the "Pacific Cousins" exhibit

Other activities:
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.: layer cake investigation

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. New B Under the Sea introductory film (3 minutes), followed by the showing of "Lightning Strikes Twice: The Tragic Tale of the Whaleship Two Brothers" (29 minutes) question and answer session with Dr. Gleason about her career.

New B Under the Sea
In their search for whales, New Bedford whalemen explored every corner of the globe. In the process they charted the world's oceans and visited lands previously little known to the Western World. Although thousands of whaling voyages sailed around the world from New Bedford, only one whaleship, the Charles W. Morgan, remains above water.Much of New Bedford's whaling history is hidden beneath the same seas that New Bedford whalemen sailed over 100 years ago. Each lost whaleship has a story to tell, and underwater archaeologists in South Carolina and Hawaii along with students and teachers from Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School are starting to uncover the mysteries of New Bedford whaleships under the sea.Imagine all of the other whaleships and pieces of New Bedford's whaling history that await discovery. The global conversation is just beginning. Let's include your voice! For more information about this program contact Karissa at e-mail us, or call 508-996-4095, x 6108.

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established by Congress in 1996 to help preserve and interpret America's nineteenth century whaling industry.The park, which encompasses a 13-block National Historic Landmark District, is the only National Park Service area addressing the history of the whaling industry and its influence on the economic, social, and environmental history of the United States.The National Park visitor center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. It is open seven days a week, from 9 AM-5 PM, and offers information, exhibits, and a free orientation movie every hour on the hour from 10 AM-3 PM.The visitor center is wheelchair-accessible, and is free of charge.For more information, call the visitor center at 508-996-4095, go to www.nps.gov/nebe, or visit the park's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NBWNHP

-NPS-