Guernsey Project Unearths Surprising Find

06.12.2006

PENSACOLA, Fla. – A recent C. H. Guernsey & Company project has unearthed a surprising find – a rare Spanish ship dating back to the late 16th Century.

The Guernsey project, located at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida is underway to repair the damage caused by the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons. The $79 million rebuilding effort includes a 34,844 square foot Aviation Rescue Swimmer School, a 53,377 square foot physical fitness center and two visitors’ quarters totaling 196,000 square feet.

While excavating the site, U.S. Navy construction crews found the ship buried upside down with the keel jutting upward.

Elizabeth Benchley, director of the Archeology Institute at the University of West Florida said the institute had worked on other shipwrecks from 1559 and 1705, “But no one has found one buried on land; this was quite a surprise to everybody.”

The Navy has enclosed the uncovered portion of the ship and marked the site for future archaeological work. Guernsey has moved the site of the planned facility.

“Our team has been working with the U.S. Navy to ensure reconstruction efforts are moved safely away from the site,” said David Oman, Project Manager at Guernsey.

“This is a significant find. It is certainly uncommon to unearth a 400 year old historic relic,” said Oman.

The Spanish originally arrived at the site in 1559.

EDITORS NOTES:

C. H. Guernsey & Company Background Information:
C. H. Guernsey & Company, celebrating more than 75 years of business, offers quality engineering, architectural and consulting solutions to clients in the United States and abroad. Guernsey headquarters in Oklahoma City with offices in Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, Texas and Washington, D.C.

Elizabeth Benchley quotes originally appeared on March 24, 2006 in an MSNBC press release titled, “Navy uncovers centuries-old Spanish Ship.” The article is available at: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11993632

Navy photos can be obtained here: http://www.naspensacola.navy.mil/index.cfm/fa/base_info.photo_archive