FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                               

Contact: Susan Moss, Public Relations Manager  

susan.moss@ahc.alabama.gov, 334-230-2678

May 10, 2022

Findings from the Exploration and Site Evaluation of Clotilda

(Montgomery, AL) Alabama Historical Commission and Resolve Marine finish the exploration and site evaluation of Clotilda, Community Meeting, May 12, 2022, 5:30 PM

Since May 2, 2022, Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) and Resolve Marine, a global leader in emergency response, salvage, wreck, and marine services, has led a 10-day exploration and evaluation of the shipwreck Clotilda. The exploration will end Wednesday, May 11, 2022. The research team will have a meeting to report on their findings on Thursday, May 12, 5:30 PM at Hope Community Center, 850 Edwards Street, Mobile, AL 36610.

Under a permit from the Corps of Engineers, this phase included:

·         New high-resolution sonar survey of Site 1BA704 (Clotilda).

·         Marine geological study of the site.

·         Installation, operation, and management of oceanographic meters at the site.

·         Biological assessment of the site.

·         Structural assessment of the wreck.

·         Limited maritime archaeological excavation and collection of wood samples for scientific analyses; and

·         Development of a site conservation plan.

This phase was possible through a $1 (one) million-dollar appropriation from the State of Alabama. These funds enable AHC to protect, document, develop and guide preservation efforts of Clotilda, the last slave ship on record carrying enslaved people to America.

About the Alabama Historical Commission

Located in historic downtown Montgomery at 468 S. Perry Street, the Alabama Historical Commission is the state historic preservation agency for Alabama. The agency was created by an act of the state legislature in 1966 with a mission to protect, preserve and interpret Alabama’s historic places. AHC works to accomplish its mission through two fields of endeavor: Preservation and promotion of state-owned historic sites as public attractions; and statewide programs to assist people, groups, towns, and cities with local preservation activities. For a complete list of programs and properties owned and operated by the AHC, hours of operation, and admission fees please visit ahc.alabama.gov  ####