LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which  distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming.  (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

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Wreck of the Neva: An Emerging Story of Survival

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the last in a series about the recent discoveries about the survivors of the 1813 wreck of the Russian ship NEVA on Kruzof Island.

By Dave McMahan

Principal Investigator

Neva Archaeology Project

In the closing days of 2016 archaeologists uncovered the most solemn reminder of the NEVA’s tragedy, the grave of one of her lost crew or passengers. Buried below fire ash at the edge of the survivors’ camp emerged the subtle remains of a single coffin. Rows of mismatched iron nails embedded in the decayed coffin show it was built on-site, probably using whatever ship’s lumber had washed ashore. Crewmen took great care in the interment, placing it close to camp and even positioning their comrade in a traditional Russian Orthodox east-to-west orientation. In consultation with tribal and Forest Service representatives, and out of general respect, the burial itself was left in place and not exposed.

 

Brinnen Carter. Chief of Resources at Sitka National Historical Park,  helps out on the Kruzof Island excavation work in July. (Photo provided by Dave McMahan)

Archaeologists believe the coffin could hold one of two survivors who died within the first days of the disaster, perhaps Tertii Stepanovich Bornovolokov, Alexander Baranov’s replacement as RAC chief manager. According to the scant historical record, his was one of only two bodies recovered “completely whole,” and he would have been considered of high enough status to warrant construction of a coffin.

An Emerging Story of Survival

Although analysis is ongoing, a new picture is emerging of the NEVA’s sinking and the privations of her shipwrecked crew. Rather than being paralyzed by their situation, archaeological finds suggest the survivors were active in their own rescue, sending out organized parties to collect useable wreckage, fishing, and hunting. Excavations confirm the crew had very little but used everything they could salvage to maximize their odds. Sheets of NEVA’s hull sheathing were ingeniously butchered, rolled, hammered and modified to create basic survival tools. Dozens of iron axes salvaged from the wreck, along with a handful of gunflints, gave survivors the chance to create fires and possible shelters. Even the broken leg of a navigators map divider, no longer useful after the NEVA’s sinking, could easily have been re-purposed as an awl, giving survivors a tool to create tents or heavy sailcloth clothing. After weeks onshore with little more than scattered wreckage, this remarkable  ingenuity and skill  at foraging allowed the group enough energy to launch overland search parties, a strategy which led to their ultimate rescue.

In a poignant gesture of forgiveness and healing, both Russian and Tlingit descendents, once bitter antagonists, jointly blessed the site at the completion of work, providing prayers for the doomed ship and those who perished. Chuck Miller, with permission from tribal elders, conducted a traditional Tlingit drum ceremony. Michael Baines (Tribal Chairman, Sitka Tribe of Alaska) participated in the ceremony, along with tribal elder Pat Alexander. Deacon Herman Madsen, assisted by Ana Dittmar, conducted the Russian Orthodox blessing. The NEVA wreck site, a tragic place where so many died and struggled for survival, was no longer lost to history or forgotten. 

Project Thanks and Support 

Funding for the project was provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF Award No. PLR-1330939). Permits were issued by the U.S. Forest Service (Archaeological Resource Protection Act Permits SIT699 and SIT712) and the Alaska Office of History and Archaeology (No. 2014-2, as amended).  

The 2016 field investigation is due to the efforts of a talented and dedicated team. John Pollack, Institute for Nautical Archaeology (INA), generously donated his time and the use of personal and INA assets for mapping, sonar, and bathymetry. Sean Adams (“3 Points in Space Media LLC,” Vancouver) collected and processed data for 3D mapping of excavations and artifacts.

The background research and field expertise of maritime historian and archaeologist Evguenia Anichtchenko (Center for Underwater Archaeology, University of Southampton) set the stage for continued fieldwork and contribute greatly to our understanding of historical context. Daniel Thompson contributed through an extensive knowledge of historical material culture and the archaeological use of metal detectors. Gleb Mikhalev expertly served as project photographer and videographer to capture an electronic record of the findings.

Dr. Brinnen Carter, an expert in maritime archaeology, participated both in the field and shared valuable advice. Chuck Carrig, an accomplished historical archaeologist, took time off from work to assist with the NEVA excavation. Zlata Lund, a travel and interpretive specialist for Russians visiting Alaska, participated in fieldwork and helped with the complex chores of running a remote camp.

Thanks are due to Hal Spackman, Director of the Sitka Historical Society, and his staff for logistical and administrative support. Former SHS Director Bob Medinger participated in the initial survey in 2012 and helped to conceive the grant proposal that eventually lead to project funding. Many individuals, organizations and corporations contributed to the project’s success in 2016 by providing assets and time.

A collaboration between Sean Adams (“3 Points in Space Media LLC,” Vancouver)  and Ryan Marlow (“Alaska Aerial Media,” Anchorage) resulted in drone mapping of the site area. Ted Parsons, a graduate student at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) conducted 3D scanning of select artifacts. Drs. Ryan Harrod and Diane Hanson (Anthropology Department, UAA), provided facility and technology for project collections research and artifact 3D scanning.

The Alaska Office of History and Archaeology (OHA) provided interim storage of the collections and for specialized processing such as electrolysis in the OHA laboratory. Molly Conley (Board Member, Museums Alaska) catalogued and packaged for the curation at the University of Alaska Museum of the North. Patricia Browne (Archaeologist, McMahan Consulting) is assisting the PI with analysis and administrative work associated with the project.

Ty Dilliplane (Project Co-PI) was not able to participate in fieldwork due to academic commitments, but provided encouragement and advice. The previous year’s (2015) crew included McMahan, Dilliplane, Anichtchenko, Adams, Mikhalev, Thompson, and Pollack, as well as two Russian participants. The latter were Dr. Artur Kharinsky (Irkutsk State Technical University) and Dr. Yury Likhin (Taltsi Museum of Architecture and Ethnography, Irkutsk).

END OF SERIES

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20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.

50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.

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