Page 34: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2016)

PROFILE: NOAA’S DIRECTOR OF MARITIME HERITAGE (Credit: James Delgado Collection)

Dr. James Delgado

NOAA’s Director of Maritime Heritage discusses the importance of preserving our maritime past and understanding our connection to the sea.

BY KATHY A SMITH early a century ago, Lieuten- ished without a trace. ? ed – a job Dr. James Delgado, NOAA’s granddaughter of Lieutenant Jones, Del- ant Ernest Larkin Jones was Fast forward to March 23, 2016. NOAA director of maritime heritage and his col- gado’s mind ? ashed back to the moment lost at sea. For decades, his (National Oceanic Atmospheric Admin- leagues, take very seriously. he knew for sure the elusive wreck’s

Nsurviving descendants, and istration) revealed to worldwide media Just a week earlier, arriving at the identity – the encrusted barrel of a the families of the other 55 seamen that the wreck had ? nally been found house of a woman whose grandfather 3-inch/50-caliber single-? re naval ri? e aboard the USS Conestoga had no idea – almost by accident – in the Greater had perished in the tragedy, Delgado served as the proverbial “smoking gun” what had happened to their loved ones. Farallones National Marine Sanctuary in prepared himself. He knew the meeting that solidi? ed the sunken vessel’s place

The ship that had left Mare Island, near California. The announcement was made would be very emotional on both sides. in U.S. naval history.

San Francisco Bay on March 25, 1921 after several family members of the cap- As he and his NOAA colleagues were Jones was the commanding of? cer of bound for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii had van- tain and crew had been personally noti- greeted warmly by Diane Gollnitz, the ill-fated civilian coal-barge-towing 34 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JUNE 2016

MR #6 (34-41).indd 34 6/6/2016 1:39:17 PM