Divers discover historic shipwreck

USS Revenge was captained by Oliver Hazard Perry, who later became a celebrated war hero. Perry gained notoriety for his bravery during the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812. He is renowned for flying a flag emblazoned with the words, ‘don’t give up the ship’, which is a symbol still in use by the US Navy today.

On the day of the sinking , the ship had become shrouded in thick fog on a reef near Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Perry was court martialled for the sinking, but exonerated during the trial when blame was fixed on the ship’s pilot, who had assured the captain he was quite familiar with local waters.

Recreational scuba diver Charles Buffum had always dreamed of finding a shipwreck. While reading about maritime disasters in local waters, he learned about the wreck of the USS Revenge. Fascinated by the story, he called his friend and diving partner Craig Harger and asked if he would be interested in searching for the shipwreck.

After picking up a JW Fishers Pulse 8X detector, they loaded their gear into a 20’ boat and set off for Rhode Island. During one dive they detected a small cannon lying on the ocean floor. During subsequent dives the team went on to find more cannon, a large anchor, and other metal objects.

It was later determined that the small cannon was a carronade, a type of cannon developed in the late 18th century.

Craig Harger said, ‘It just goes to show that a couple of recreational divers with a dream and a metal detector, can actually find a shipwreck!’

The men have contacted the Naval History and Heritage Command, the office that oversees the salvage of navy ships in the USA. They hope to convince the Navy to salvage the remains, or relinquish the rights so they can raise the money needed to do it themselves. Their intention is to have the artefacts preserved and displayed at a historical society.