Low Mississippi River exposes shipwreck near Cape Girardeau

Calling all available archaeologists. Low water on the Mississippi River has revealed a mystery on the banks near Cape Girardeau -- and two local educators along with a longtime shipwreck salvage diver are looking for help to solve it and preserve what they say is "a piece of our river heritage."

Amy Grammer and her husband, Russell, leaders of the local private school Prodigy Leadership Academy, were exploring the river's edge on a search for driftwood, pieces of pottery and pebbles for student projects on a September afternoon when something out of the ordinary caught Amy Grammer's eye.

"I almost walked right past it," she said.

She didn't realize what she was seeing until she noticed a row of wooden tongue-in-groove planks and several joists protruding from the mud.

Low water after months of drought had exposed a section of a ship's stern. Knowing their find was something special, the Grammers immediately called on Randy Barnhouse, a longtime friend, retired teacher and salvage diver from Cape Girardeau. Just one week before the discovery, Barnhouse visited the school to talk to students about shipwreck exploration. For around 30 years, he has made repeated trips to Florida and the Caribbean for treasure salvage diving expeditions.

John Grammer perches on a rock above and exposed shipwreck Monday, Oct. 8, 2012 along the Mississippi River. The low water level has exposed the wreck along the banks. (Laura Simon)

Barnhouse visits the wreck often to conduct measurements and document observations of the ship. Its location, per request of its discoverers, needs to be kept a secret so that the site can remain undisturbed. Around 30 feet of the ship's length is visible in addition to the stern. A large iron cleat shows near the riverbank and a hatch is blocked by a large section of cement and other debris. The ship's age is unknown.

Barnhouse said he believes the ship may have been built when shipbuilders were switching from wood to metal. The ship's hull appears to be made from iron, but a wooden casing surrounds it. Decking is also wooden.

The Grammers and Barnhouse are seeking the help of an archaeologist for unearthing the still-buried sections of the ship and have applied for permits through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, which are needed for an in-depth study and excavation. The DNR permit cannot be granted unless an archaeologist agrees to oversee the project, according to Barnhouse. Until one is found and work can begin, they hope the water stays low.

"We really don't want it to be covered back up or else we may never know its story," Barnhouse said.

But there is also a disadvantage to the ship being exposed to sunlight and air.

"As the wood is drying out, it's curling back and deteriorating," Barnhouse said. "We don't have a lot of time. It's in much worse shape now than it was just a few weeks ago."

The Mississippi River has been low all summer while the region struggles with drought. The river level was just below 6.5 feet Monday afternoon, about 6 feet above the record low on the Cape Girardeau gauge.

Barnhouse said the corps staff he has most recently spoken with are optimistic a permit will be issued soon.

The Grammers and Barnhouse said they hope the public can soon become involved with the find and are asking for public support in case no local archaeologist can be found to help.

"What we really need is to get the word out," Barnhouse said. "This has the potential to teach us a lot about our heritage here in Cape Girardeau if we can find the right people to work on it."

The ship has been dubbed "Amy Elizabeth" after its discoverer.

Anyone who would like to offer assistance locating an archaeologist may contact Barnhouse at 579-5381.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, MO