The New Whites PI in Action

[bdahunter]

Prototype Testing Underway



As of April, 2008, Whites Electronics, the leading manufacturer of metal detectors in the world, will be working with RSOPS on the wreck of the Capitana off the coast of Ecuador and future wrecks that RSOPS has under development.

Gerry Edwards is currently testing the new pulse induction prototype in conjunction with this operation. It will be called the Surfmaster Dual Field. This new design incorporates a dual integrated coil with cutting edge dual channel processing technology and is designed to operate to depths of 100 feet. The detector features the ability to combine two operational coils in one head. This gives the detector more depth and greater sensitivity.

Gerry Edwards with an assortment of 1, 2, 4 and 8 reales
recovered from the wreck of the Capitana.

The heavily mineralized ocean bottom off the coast of Ecuador has provided a very challenging environment for testing this new prototype. The advanced design of this new detector provides much greater stability and features improved ability to cancel out mineralization which has been a problem for pulse induction units in the past.

Also incorporated is the ability to recover from fast sweeps of the coil. Old units had to be swept slowly over a target to read it. This is an adjustable feature on the new detector. This new unit has also been designed to locate gold with greater ease than in the past.

Gerry Edwards is satisfied that this new unit is performing to its expectations. Already used on a site in the Pacific he met with great success with the new detector. Gold, copper and silver coins were recovered with ease of use with the new detector. On April 22 he arrived in Ecuador to begin diving and testing the new unit on the Capitana site. On April 26 he made his first of several dives for the day and was impressed with the ability of the detector.

Gerry Edwards and Jose Chancay, Culture Ministry archaeologist,
discussing the various types of pottery and ceramics being recovered.

RSOP’s ship the Beacon blew holes in the bottom with ease and exposed coins that were in excellent condition because of them being buried in mud. In very poor visibility or next to no visibility he was able to locate targets with just sound. As the operation continues Gerry will provide regular reports on the progress made. This new detector is scheduled for production by fall of 2008.

“Technology is a cornerstone of our business” said Scott Heimdal, President of RS Operations. “From the beginning we’ve gone to great lengths to equip our team with the best technology available. We’re looking forward to a long term R&D relationship with Whites Electronics on development of the next generation of detectors.”







Excavations Begin


RSOPS has recently begun excavation on the site believed to be the wreck of the Jesus Maria de la Pura y Limpia Concepcion de Nuestra Senora, also known as the Capitana.

The first phase has consisted of a series of test excavations made throughout the area to determine the overall extent of the wrecksite. During this initial phase many coins and unique artifacts have come to the surface.

An assortment of recently recovered coins and artifacts.

An encrusted silver bar.

Scott Heimdal holding a recently recovered bronze candlestick.

A coin found in a conglomerate often
leaves a reverse image.

A box of recovered iron and
bronze cannonballs.

An assortment of artifacts recovered from
one hole; including silver coins, musket balls,
pottery shards and lead sheathing.

A silver artifact believed to be a spur used
on fighting roosters. A very unique artifact.

A conglomerate containing an iron mass,
musket ball and several silver coins.

Conglomerates often
contain many surprises.

Project Documentation


Work on the Capitana is being documented using the 3H Consulting Site Recorder 4 for Marine Archaeology. This advanced system is greatly improving our ability to effectively manage shipwreck sites.

Image of the Capitana site from Site Recorder

Recently adopted by Texas A&M University (TAMU) Nautical Archaeology Program, the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA) and the Center For Maritime Archaeology & Conservation (CMAC), this advanced GIS system is becoming the standard for marine archaeology projects. A statement from Donny Hamilton on the CMAC web site describes why the software was chosen:

"Effective April 2007 CMAC adopted Site Recorder 4, developed by 3H Consulting Ltd. as the program to be used to record survey data, excavation and mapping notes, maps, excavation plans, photographs, artifact conservation details, and relevant background or historical data. Site Recorder 4 is becoming a standard among major institutions conducting underwater archaeology and it has proved to be an ideal mechanism for maintaining uniformity between different projects. By having a common program capable of documenting all aspects and phases of an archaeological project, sharing of data is facilitated between projects and institutions. The Institute of Nautical Archaeology, which has been using the program in Turkey is adopting it as a standard for its projects."

Online Participation


Site Recorder 4 also allows anyone to view the work we do on this shipwreck and monitor the progress of the project. Using the Site Recorder 4 "Site Reader" you can view the wreck site in detail, turn on\off different layers of the wreck and view photos of artifacts and treasure recovered.

[Buster]

Good Post BDA...Thanks for the Info....Buster.

[sandyfeet]

Thanks for the post...Great info...Im always lookin for my next beach huntin machine

Sandyfeet

[Capt.B]

Looks like I'll be getting a new toy in the fall.

[The TINMAN]

Great Post bda.. Thanks for that. Any Idea on a Price ?

[colbyc28]

Bet they didn't find any pull tabs....nice stuff!

[bdahunter]

Originally Posted by The TINMAN

Great Post bda.. Thanks for that. Any Idea on a Price ?

The talk on the forums is around $1,500. Too soon to tell, maybe more possibly less but I doubt it. If it's all it's cracked up to be it will be a very big gun in the surf, very handy when the sand is piled in, expect deep holes.

Cheers Mate,

BDA

[prizm-pal]

Great info Bda and only around fifteen hundred souds to good to be true...what are you going to do when you know you have gold under the coil...only thing is it is 100 feet down !