US Navy 010703-N-5329L-005 Diver working on USS Monitor salvage

010703-n-5329l-005 atlantic ocean (july 3, 2001) – u. S. Navy diver, senior chief engineman bill staples from somersworth, n. H. , uses a hammer and chisel to free deck plating from the historic wreck of uss monitor. Staples and other u. S. Navy saturation divers are working around the clock with archaeologists from the national oceanographic and atmospheric administration (noaa) to salvage the main engine and other artifacts from the wreck to be preserved and later displayed at the mariners museum in newport news, va. Divers are working from the derrick barge “wotan”, which is acting as the main support vessel during the monitor 2001 expedition, the sixth joint u. S. Navy and noaa expedition to preserve the historic vessel. The ship went down off the coast of cape hatteras, nc, in 1862 during a severe storm. U. S. Navy photo by photographer’s mate 2nd class petty officer eric lippmann. (released).