SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

In the fall of 2000 and January 2001, Sea Surveyor, Inc. of Benicia, California contracted William Self Associates of Orinda, California to conduct a maritime archaeological research on behalf of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District.  This maritime archaeology study is in conjunction with the geophysical investigation of five rock formations situated in the central portion of San Francisco Bay, California.  The research was conducted to assess the possible impact of the San Francisco Bay Rocks Removal Project on submerged historic properties, particularly the remains of shipwrecks.

 As part of the maritime archaeology study, Sea Surveyor, Inc. conducted a side-scan sonar (500-kHz) and a magnetometer survey of the five areas known as Blossom, Harding, Shag, and Arch rocks, and an underwater  geological feature called Golden Gate Mound.  After reviewing the 500-kHz side-scan records, Sea Surveyor conducted a second acoustic survey over Blossom, Harding, Shag, and Arch Rocks with an archaeologist aboard from William Self Associates (WSA) using a high-resolution, 600-kHz side scan sonar system.  Prior to commencement of field operations, WSA archaeologists conducted archival research in local libraries and repositories, and consulted with the National Archives in Washington, D.C. to develop an historic background of the study area.   

In the remote sensing surveys, seven targets were initially identified as possible maritime-related cultural resources.  Subsequently, all but two of these were eliminated as potentially significant cultural resources.  WSA determined that one of the two remaining targets, most likely an abandoned anchor, did not meet the criteria of eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places.  The second target, a sunken barge, could not be identified, and a definitive determination of its potential to meet the criteria of eligibility for the National Register has not yet been made.  No known or presently detectable prehistoric or historic archaeological sites are located within the boundaries of the study area. 

 Based on archival research, and analysis of the data collected during remote sensing surveys of the study area, it is the conclusion of the WSA archaeologists that no further evaluation of cultural resources within the study area is necessary, with the exception of the sunken barge.  Except for the barge, research for this study did not reveal any potentially eligible resources, although such resources may be present within the project area, but buried beneath the bottom sediments.  A qualified archaeologist, who can evaluate the nature and significance of such resources, must evaluate these discoveries if any are made as the project progresses.