Ships of Discovery

Our research includes the study of the ships of the earliest period of European exploration of the New World (1492-1550), ships of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, colonial merchant ships, slave ships, colonial and WWI and WWII Naval ships, and historic sites on land relating to ships and seafaring.

The institute undertakes surveys and excavations in the U.S., various Latin American and Caribbean countries and in the Pacific, conducts conservation research and analysis of artifacts, promotes education and better understanding of the past through scientific articles, popular books and lectures, the design and fabrication of museum exhibits, films, underwater trails, and public outreach efforts.