The turret breaks the surface for the first time in 140 years. Onlookers aboard the Emmanuel cheer its arrival and marvel at a job well-done. Click image for larger view and detailed explanation.
EXCLUSIVE: The Turret is Recovered!
August 6, 2002
Michelle Fox
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary
After 140 years on the ocean floor, NOAA and the U.S. Navy raised the turret of the USS Monitor yesterday. The turret broke the ocean's surface at 5:47 pm and landed safely on the deck of the derrick barge Wotan at 5:59 pm.
The turret will now be transported to Hampton Roads, VA, where it will be greeted by an arrival ceremony on Friday August 9, at 9:30 am, in downtown Newport News, VA. A similar celebration also will be held to celebrate the arrival of the turret at The Mariners' Museum on Saturday August 10, at 9:30 am on museum grounds. Both events are open to the public and the media.
The national news media, including CNN, 
the Washington Post, and the Associated Press, has covered this historic occasion, complete with additional information and spectacular imagery direct from the Wotan barge. Click on MSN to watch a slide show of the raising of the turret, and an interview with NOAA's John Broadwater, shown on the Today Show. Also, Capt. Craig McLean, director of NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration, speaks with Jim Lehrer about the Monitor expedition.
The turret is slowly raised via the crane and moved to the Wotan barge. Click image for larger view.
Members of the expedition team pose in front of the newly recovered turret. From left to right: Bob Schwemmer, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary; Wayne LuSardi, The Mariners' Museum; Jeff Johnston, Monitor NMS; Michelle Fox, Monitor NMS; John Broadwater, Monitor NMS. Click image for larger view.
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