Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/715089
island," said Jose "Pache" Ayala, vice president, Puerto Rico. "With these ships and the improvements for the pier and terminal, our customers will continue to realize benefits." Advances Underscore Jones Act's Value The projects are critical to continuing Crowley's leadership role in the trade between the U.S. and Puerto, particularly from Jacksonville, Fla. At its Jacksonville port, Crowley will also enhance its terminal with construction of 100 new reefer plugs and a rail transfer dock as well as installation of a new terminal operations software system. Crowley contracted with Eagle LNG Partners to build an LNG plant and storage tank facilities in Jacksonville to fuel the new ships. Gilliam oversees teams managing that improvement in partnership with the Jacksonville Port Authority (JaxPort). All told, the investments underscore the critical value of trade under the U.S. Jones Act, particularly as Puerto Rico and U.S. leaders looked for ways to aid the island's economy and its 3.5 million residents. The investments support jobs at the shipyard, Puerto Rico and the JaxPort terminal. "Our investment displays the positive impacts the Jones Act not just continues to deliver now, but shows the benefits well into the future from the law," said Hourihan. The Jones Act is a federal statute that provides for the promotion and maintenance of a strong American merchant marine. It requires that all goods transported by water between U.S. ports be carried on U.S.-flag ships constructed in the United States, owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed by U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. That law supports the economies on the mainland and Puerto Rico in shipbuilding jobs and capital investment, and ensures the U.S. has a merchant marine that it can depend 28 Before Crowley could even think of sailing its first Commitment Class ship to the new pier and terminal under construction at Isla Grande in San Juan Harbor, the company learned another vessel had been there first – for perhaps 200 years or more. A shipwreck was discovered as Crowley prepared to dredge the harbor near the Isla Grande terminal to build the new pier. Working with a maritime archaeologist, Crowley supported researchers who successfully secured the wooden shipwreck and carefully relocated it so it could be safely examined for its historical and scientific value. Crowley personnel, researchers and regulatory agencies worked seven days a week at times to preserve the integrity of the wreckage. Tentatively identified as an early 19th century ship, perhaps a schooner, the wreck is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places because it embodies characteristics of the time period and might provide information important to understanding the history of Puerto Rico, said Dr. Jesus E. Vega, maritime archaeologist, who led the team researching the discovery. Further studies and tests are planned, including radiocarbon dating. "We as a company took this discovery very seriously. Crowley has been part of Puerto Rico for decades, and we recognize the potential significance of this shipwreck to the island's history," said Tucker Gilliam, Crowley vice president, special projects. "We have worked with local authorities, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other partners to do everything we can to preserve it." Gilliam and Vega received invaluable assistance from engineers Angel García of AG Environmental PSC, and Brian Abel of Harbor Engineers when coordinating the job with federal and state agencies. As preparation for construction of the pier began in fall 2015, a sonar test detected a structure on the bottom of the harbor. Vega and divers were brought in and investigated. Buried in sediment 21 feet below the surface, they found the ship's remains. While diving, Vega said he found a telltale sign that made him certain of the find: a protruding old nail, clearly created before machines were used to make nails. The rest of the wreck was soon confirmed. Only a small segment of the ship's bow was initially exposed on the bottom. Besides extremely limited underwater visibility, turning to zero upon contact with the silt-covered wreck, the archaeologists had to dig up to 10 feet of mud at the stern, to expose the complete wreck at a maximum depth of 35 feet. Alas, they found no treasure. Nor did they find many artifacts, leaving Vega to conclude the ship was cleared and abandoned for an undetermined reason. The remains of the ship – her name is uncertain -- are limited to the hull below the waterline and broken masts. However, there is enough evidence to glean some valuable conclusions. The unidentified ship was a commercial vessel, not a warship. There's no sign it was lost in battle. Its iron sheathing is unlike the copper typically used by the British, or the lead favored by the Spanish to patch up weak areas of the hull. Vega suggests it may have been American built. Story continued on right side of page 29 19TH CENTURY SHIP DISCOVERED, PROTECTED AMID CONSTRUCTION PREPARATIONS