Organization:Sea Research Society
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| Formation | 1972 |
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| Type | Nonprofit |
| Headquarters | South Carolina, U.S. |
President | E. Lee Spence |
| Website | exploresrs.org |
The Sea Research Society (SRS) is a non-profit organization promoting research and education in marine science and history. Founded in 1972 by underwater archaeologist Dr. E. Lee Spence,[1] SRS undertakes archival research and underwater expeditions in search of historic shipwrecks.[2] From 1972 to 1978, it also operated the College of Marine Arts.[2]
History
Dr. E. Lee Spence, an underwater explorer and early pioneer in the field of underwater archaeology, founded the Sea Research Society in 1972.[1] In the early years, SRS was billed as a research college for marine sciences, including biology and archaeology,[3] located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, near Charleston.[4] In 1974, the SRS announced a temporary reduction in tuition at its College of Marine Arts from $1,500 to $500 per semester.[5] At the time, College of Marine Arts students were involved in salvaging the Confederate cruiser SS Georgiana, which had been sunk en route to Charleston Harbor on March 19, 1863.[5] Although local scholars were initially skeptical of Spence's efforts, they soon appreciated the significance of his activities and offered their assistance.[6]
Board members
The Society's founding board members included Luis Marden of National Geographic magazine; Frederic Dumas, French underwater archaeologist of Jacques-Yves Cousteau fame; Anders Franzen, Swedish underwater archaeologist and discoverer of the Swedish warship Vasa; Ron A. Gibbs, Curator Armed Forces History, National Park Service; Paul Tzimoulis, Publisher, Skin Diver magazine; Ed Bearss, Senior Historian, National Park Service; Robert F. Marx, undersea explorer; E. Lee Spence, Underwater Archaeology Editor, NAUI’s Diving World magazine; Peter Throckmorton, "discoverer of the oldest known shipwreck;" Pablo Bush Romero, President, CEDAM;[7] and others of similar note. Virtually all were published authors and internationally known for their works with shipwrecks. Several have been described as the "father of underwater archaeology." Unfortunately, a number of the founding members are now deceased.
Principal officers are Brad Needleman, President; Dr. E. Lee Spence, Executive Vice-President; Jim McNeill, VP-Arctic Expeditions; Veli Albert Kallio, VP-Environmental Affairs; and Rusty Whiting, International Training Director.[8]
General membership
SRS Membership is open to the general public.[9]
Expeditions
The Society has conducted numerous expeditions over the years including expeditions relating to the wrecks of the CSS David, SS
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fine, John Christopher (June–July 2011). "History from Beyond the Deep: Raising the Hunley". History Magazine: pp. 24–26. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=31h&AN=62850270&lang=en-gb&site=eds-live&scope=site.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Sea Research Society". https://shipwrecks.com/srs/.
- ↑ Anderson, Hillary (January 1973). "News Briefs". Skin Diver 22 (1): p. 41. https://archive.org/details/sim_skin-diver_1973-01_22_1/page/n47/mode/2up.
- ↑ Kelley, Don Greame (July–August 1973). "The Wheelhouse". Oceans 6 (4): p. 2. https://archive.org/details/sim_oceans_july-august-1973_6_4/page/2/mode/2up.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Hauser, Hillary (September 1974). "News Briefs". Skin Diver: p. 54. https://archive.org/details/Skin_Diver_1974_Sept/page/n51/mode/2up.
- ↑ Marx, Robert F. (1975). The Underwater Dig: An Introduction to Marine Archaeology. New York: Henry Z. Walck, Inc.. pp. 51–52. ISBN 9780809835362.
- ↑ Sea Research Society: 1972-1998, © 1998, pp. 11-12
- ↑ List of Sea Research Society Officers
- ↑ SRS Memberships
