Nominating Historic Vessels and Shipwrecks to the National Register of Historic Places

INTRODUCTION For over two hundred years, the United States relied on ships as connective links of a nation. Vessels crossing the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Pacific Oceans, and our inland waters made fundamental contributions to colonial settlement, development of trade, exploration, national defense, and territorial expansion. Unfortunately, we have lost much of this maritime tradition, and most historic vessels have gone to watery graves or have been scrapped by shipbreakers. Many vessels, once renowned or common, now can only be appreciated in print, on film, on canvas, or in museums. To recognize those cultural resources important in America's past and to encourage their preservation, Congress expanded the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. Among the ranks of properties listed in the National Register are vessels, as well as buildings and structures, such as canals, drydocks, shipyards, and lighthouses that survive to document the Nation's maritime heritage. Yet to date, the National Register has not been fully utilized for listing maritime resources, particularly historic vessels. The National Register of Historic Places is an important tool for maritime preservation. Utilizing James P. Delgado and A National Park Service Maritime Task Force*