Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Data Exercise Answers

Part 1

  1. Are there certain areas within your sanctuary that seem more prone to shipwrecks than others? Can you think of any reasons why this may be the case?

    Answer: Monterey and Carmel. Reasons - shallow, rocky coastal areas, fog, winds, and storms.

  2. Are there certain times of year when there seemed to be more shipwrecks reported? Can you think of any reasons why this might be the case?

    Answer: There are no particular times of year when there were more shipwrecks reported. Ships could encounter bad weather and fog in any season on the West Coast, and this factor, combined with navigational hazards, led many ships to their graveyards.

  3. How many shipwrecks were reported in your sanctuary before 1942? How many were reported after 1942? Can you think of any reason for this difference?

    Answer: Number of shipwrecks before 1942: 29; number of shipwrecks after 1942: 1. This difference can be attributed to the refinement of radar technology needed for use in World War II.


Part 2

  1. What small town suddenly "blossomed in white paint" after a central coast shipwreck?

    Answer: Pescadero (Colombia)

  2. Name the shipwreck that mistook a red caution light relating to a sewer construction project on land for a wharf light, causing the vessel to strike an offshore reef.

    Answer: Gipsy

  3. Name the ship that rounded Cape Horn in the 19th century while on her maiden voyage and was lost before reaching her final destination.

    Answer: Carrier Pigeon

  4. Salvage is a dangerous business. Name the shipwreck that was being salvaged when a vessel and barge were lost in the operation.

    Answer: Rhine Maru: vessel Panama and barge S. Catania were lost

  5. Name the ship whose SOS distress signal could be received by local residents on their television sets.

    Answer: Rhine Maru

  6. Name the shipwreck that used a "breeches buoy" to transport survivors to shore on a line secured between the shipwreck and land.

    Answer: Frank H. Buck

Back to the Monterey Bay section of the Data Tip.



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