Page 70: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2021)

Maritime History

Key indicators highlighted as com- pelling evidence of the identity of the

Figure 9: Location ship included the bow staple and steel and detail of the sheathing con? gurations, multiple lay- propeller post on ers of bow planking and the stern tube bolt patterns, as well as its location close

Bear of Oakland, 1933. to the reported last known position and lack of other wrecks in the vicinity.

“While no feature identi? ed in the 2021 ROV survey, by itself, would have likely been considered absolutely de- ? nitive, taken together, the body of evi- dence was considered, by the evaluation team, more than suf? cient to identify the wreck as Bear with a reasonable degree of certainty,” Barr said.

Now that it has been found, attention turns toward efforts that will help pre- serve the shipwreck.

Barr noted that the Canadian Depart- ment of Fisheries and Oceans is consid- ering establishing a marine protected area that would include the Bear wreck site. While not explicitly recognizing the historic importance of the shipwreck, the designation could help to alleviate any continuing damage to the wreck from mobile ? shing gear, he added.

“Some joint U.S./Canadian recog- nition of this signi? cant historic site might also be possible, but time will tell whether such a collaborative agreement has the potential to be developed and implemented,” Barr said.

THE LEGENDARY “BEAR”

In the cumulative maritime history of the U.S., few ships have been so routine- ly identi? ed as “iconic” and “legendary,” and none more historically signi? cant than U.S. Revenue Cutter Bear. Largely associated with polar exploration, and particularly its Arctic service, the ship’s history is a series of compelling stories of bravery in the face of peril, dedication to duty, and legendary exploits.

Built in Scotland originally as a sealer in 1874, for the ? rst 10 years of ser- vice, Bear operated as part of the com- mercial sealing ? eet off Newfoundland.

Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection 70 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • November 2021

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