{"id":165845,"date":"2015-06-22T13:41:11","date_gmt":"2015-06-22T17:41:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/noaacoastsurvey.wordpress.com\/?p=165845"},"modified":"2015-06-22T13:41:11","modified_gmt":"2015-06-22T17:41:11","slug":"noaa-dedicates-memorial-at-absecon-lighthouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/noaa-dedicates-memorial-at-absecon-lighthouse\/","title":{"rendered":"NOAA dedicates memorial at Absecon Lighthouse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunday, June 21, was World Hydrography Day<\/a>, a day set aside to recognize the important work of hydrographers.\u00a0 Measuring and describing the physical features of oceans, seas, and coastal areas is essential not only to the safe navigation of the everyday mariner, but to our nation\u2019s economic development, security and defense, scientific research, and environmental protection.
\n

\"Absecon<\/a>
The NOAA flag flies at the Absecon Lighthouse during the memorial dedication. Photo by David Hall<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nThis year’s observation was particularly\u00a0noteworthy for NOAA, as we honored the lost crew members of the U.S. Coast Survey Steamer Robert J. Walker<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>by dedicating a memorial at the Absecon Lighthouse<\/a> in New Jersey.
\nOn June 21, 1860, the Robert J. Walker<\/em> was hit by a commercial schooner while transiting from Norfolk to New York after months of\u00a0surveying in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship sank 12 miles offshore, as they were heading\u00a0to the Absecon Lighthouse after they were hit. Coast Survey lost\u00a0twenty crew members that night, and another man died from his injuries the next day, in the\u00a0largest single loss of life in Coast Survey and NOAA history.
\n
\nDr. James\u00a0Delgado, director of maritime heritage at NOAA\u2019s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries<\/a>, described the events of that long-ago day, and spoke of the partnership between NOAA and the New Jersey diving community in identifying the previously unidentified wreck.
\nSteve Nagiewicz, co-director of the Robert J. Walker<\/em> Mapping Project<\/a>, recognized\u00a0a dozen private citizens who assisted with the project, as he talked about the importance of collaborative efforts in conserving the nation’s maritime history.
\n
\"Recognizing<\/a>
Steve Nagiewicz (center) and Dr. James Delgado (second from left) recognized the collaboration between NOAA and private citizens in identifying and conserving the Robert J. Walker<\/em> wreck. Photo by Dawn Forsythe<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nRear Admiral Gerd Glang<\/a>, director of NOAA\u2019s Office of Coast Survey, dedicated the memorial.
\n\u201cWith this memorial duly dedicated, we are assured that future generations will know what happened off these shores,” Glang said. “They will remember the sacrifices made to make our nation\u2019s coasts safe.\u00a0 And they will give these crew members a permanent honor that was so long denied.\u201d
\nA historic hydrographer\u2019s bell rang for every crew member that lost their life, similar to the memorial service held two years ago<\/a>.
\n
\"Glang,<\/a>
Rear Admiral Gerd Glang dedicated the Walker memorial, with James Delgado and Cheryl Oliver. Photo by Dawn Forsythe<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nOn the grounds of the Absecon Lighthouse you will now find a memorial consisting of a NOAA commemorative geodetic marker,\u00a0as well as a plaque honoring\u00a0the lost crew members, placed in a\u00a0compass rose on the grounds outside the lighthouse entrance. The plaque is an\u00a0iconic\u00a0image that was proposed by NOAA Corps Basic Officer Training Class 102, in a design project headed by Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Shoup.
\nIn expressing NOAA’s appreciation for all involved in the project, Glang thanked\u00a0two people in particular.\u00a0First, he noted the persistent efforts of Skip Theberge, our NOAA historian and a retired NOAA commissioned officer.
\n“I would dare say that very few people in NOAA even knew about the Robert J. Walker<\/em> until Captain Theberge told us about this tragic event,” Glang said. “It is because of his knowledge — and especially his persistence in telling the story —\u00a0that NOAA made the effort to find and identify the Walker<\/em>.”
\nGlang also offered\u00a0special appreciation\u00a0to Cheryl Oliver, exhibit manager for the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries<\/a> and the senior program advisor for NOAA’s Preserve America Initiative<\/a>. She is also the president of the\u00a0U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Heritage Society<\/a>.\u00a0Cheryl was NOAA\u2019s moving force behind the development of this memorial.
\n
\"Cheryl<\/a>
NOAA Preserve America Initiative advisor Cheryl Oliver and Maritime Heritage Program Director James Delgado at the Robert J. Walker<\/em> interpretive sign at Absecon Lighthouse. Photo by David Hall<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nThe Robert J. Walker <\/a><\/em>was positively identified<\/a> in 2013 after\u00a0NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson<\/em><\/a>\u00a0set aside a day to survey the site\u00a0while\u00a0it was in the area conducting operations after\u00a0post tropical storm Sandy. The ship’s physical scientists were\u00a0guided by historical accounts\u00a0in the 1860 Coast Survey Annual Report<\/a><\/em>. Then, using the Thomas Jefferson<\/em> data and armed with additional information from\u00a0researchers and archaeological advisers, divers pinpointed the exact location and confirmed the ship\u2019s identity.
\nNOAA would like to express our appreciation to U.S. Coast Guard Station Atlantic City\u00a0(in particular,\u00a0Seaman Philip Zinna and Fireman Apprentice Christopher Barreras)\u00a0for presenting\u00a0the colors at the event.<\/em>
\n
\"A<\/a>
A color guard from U.S. Coast Guard Station Atlantic City presents the colors. Photo by David Hall<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>
\n
\"Jean<\/a>
Absecon Lighthouse Executive Director Jean Muchanic welcomed the crowd of 50 people to the Walker memorial dedication. Photo by David Hall<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sunday, June 21, was World Hydrography Day, a day set aside to recognize the important work of hydrographers.\u00a0 Measuring and describing the physical features of oceans, seas, and coastal areas is essential not only to the safe navigation of the everyday mariner, but to our nation\u2019s economic development, security and defense, scientific research, and environmental … <\/p>\n

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