Foreword

At a time when more and more flashy, high-tech discoveries and salvage of long-lost undersea wrecks occur, this submerged cultural resource study of the Arizona Memorial is a refreshing change. The combined experience of the National Park Service's Submerged Cultural Resources Unit and the Navy's Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One is remarkable, they are as expert at their business as can be found. What stands out, though, is that these talented divers sought and brought back for us all not artifacts, not souvenirs, not booty - simply knowledge. After the years of meticulous studies, foot-by-foot inspection and recording -- the USS ARIZONA and its sister ships all still rest secure, exactly as they were before this energetic endeavor began. You, too, can rest assured that these historic undersea relics will remain unimpaired. This is a classic study of how under sea explorations ought to be done so as to leave their historic subjects intact. In this publication, you have a thoughtful summary of the knowledge they gleaned.

Bryan Harry
Pacific Area Director
National Park Service