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Shipwrecks: l The U.S.S. Monitor
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Shipwreck Gallery
Sea Technology Today
 Since
the earliest European explorations, the waters around the Outer
Banks of North Carolina have been known as some of the most
treacherous in the world. Shipping lanes followed two great
currents, the Gulf Stream and the Labrador, flowing North and
South, respectively, off the Banks. Vessels plied these waters
in hope of reducing the duration of their voyage. Dynamic
conditions made navigation difficult and dangerous. Summer and
fall hurricanes added to the rough seas and winter and spring
Noreasters, while not as well known as the warmer weather
storms, were just as deadly.
Mariners in the Graveyard of the Atlantic faced these
treacherous conditions essentially unaided until the 20th
century. Weather was predicted by looking at the sky. Charts
were inaccurate. At best, navigation was by compass, sextant
and chronometer. While at sea, communication with the outside
world was impossible.
Read more about the
Old
Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station
Rescue could only be accomplished by lifesavers on the beach,
with rowboats or a breeches buoy line fired from a beach cannon.
There was no National Weather Service, no radio, no GPS, no
satellite emergency beacons, no helicopters, nor any of the
other aids to mariners that we take for granted in the modern
world.
Today, electronic devices such as Global Positioning System
receivers and Loran can determine position and calculate courses
and distances. Radar is used not only to avoid collision, but to
measure distances and plot position. However, today's mariner
still needs to know how to use the traditional methods.
 Modern
electronics fail. The captain is still responsible for the ship
and her passengers and cargo. With an inexpensive quartz watch,
and a sextant, today's mariners can still determine their
position with a great degree of accuracy.
 Weather
prediction today is accurate, long range and supported by a
worldwide array of sensors and instrumentation. Satellites
provide visual and infrared imagery and data. Computers
accurately model storm system formation, movement, strength and
duration. Weather aircraft gather storm system data
continuously. Worldwide communication of weather information is
accomplished instantly by TV, radio and the internet. Today's
mariners can easily stay informed.
 When
accidents do occur at sea, the chance of rescue is greatly
increased over the days of lifesavers patrolling the beach for
signs of wreckage. Satellite emergency beacons instantly notify
rescue authorities when a ship gets in trouble at sea. The U.
S. Coast Guard is fully equipped and trained to accomplish sea
rescue under the most severe conditions. Their tools include
highly trained pilots, rescue swimmers, helicopters and modern
lifesaving boats that automatically right themselves in violent
seas.
Visit a modern Coast Guard Lifeboat Station, Hatteras Inlet.
Today, in the Graveyard of the Atlantic, a mariner in trouble
stands a much better chance of surviving than those of the past.
Explore the sites below for in depth descriptions,
explanations, examples and imagery of today's technology at sea.
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