Glossary
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Underwater Notes
During any underwater archeological excavation, such as the one involving the P.S. Lady Sherbrooke, divers are required to take notes, make measurements, and trace objects, underwater. There are a variety of ways to undertake this. Perhaps one of the more unique tools used to do this on this project was bright red lipstick.
When it was necessary to draw a large object in situ a plastic sheet was stapled to the area under consideration. Then the diver traced the object with his tube of lipstick. The lipstick, being able to repel water, stuck to the plastic until the design was retraced on the surface, with a black felt pen.
The diver could also write basic notes and measurements on special paper with an ordinary pencil. In addition to careful documentation of the wreck this also allowed for a more concise discussion with members of the team at the surface. A note about the images seen here. While we have tried to clean the images so that the subject can be clearly seen the actual color and luminosity of the water has oftentimes made this difficult. What you see is what there was!
Click here for additional thumbnail images of note taking underwater.
