Underwater tales tell the history of sunken vessels

PMJ.com: Underwater tales tell the history of sunken vessels

Anyone familiar with Santa Rosa County knows it's an area steeped in rich, colorful history. But that knowledge may not extend beneath the surface of the beautiful Blackwater River. In an effort to educate the local community on the extensive and intriguing maritime history of Milton and Bagdad, the Blackwater Pyrates will host Dr. Della Scott-Ireton of the University of West Florida Archaeology Network. She will speak at at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24 at the Bagdad Community Center, 6860 Pooley St., Bagdad. The lecture is open to the public at no cost. The format will be approximately one hour with a slide presentation and a question-and-answer period afterwards. Scott-Ireton has a doctorate specializing in maritime archaeology, public interpretation of maritime cultural resources and the training of students in archaeological methods and practices.

"This type of venue gives our community a deeper understanding of how our universities, our county and our cities work together to build on our past and propel us into the future," Blackwater Pyrate Captain Danny Keiek said. "When the Pyrates first started, Dr. Scott was gracious enough to deliver a similar lecture. When you are on the river as much as the Pyrates, you can feel the history. Even more unique is the fact that most of the wrecks are in shallow water, so you can 'see' the history."

According to former Pyrate Captain Tom Scott, UWF students dive these wrecks and discover new ones each year. Many of the wrecks are lumber transport barges, each with its own personality and window into the past. Recently, students have discovered two additional vessels in the Milton area and thesis work has begun with the help of grants and donations.

"The dark waters of the Blackwater River are home to over 18 sunken vessels whose history is linked to these towns and the surrounding communities," Scott said. "The two vessels that have the most notoriety are probably the Bethune schooner and the Tampa. The Bethune was a mid-19th century light draft coasting schooner. She carried small cargo along the Gulf Coast and into the larger river basins. It's believed the schooner, listed on the national register of historic places, carried lumber and bricks. Where larger ships held up to 500,000 feet of lumber, a schooner only transported around 100,000 feet. It was common for schooners to serve Bagdad and Milton because of their ability to navigate the river. The Tampa was primarily a passenger vessel that ferried lumber mill workers and staples."