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PRESS RELEASE:
CONTACT:

July 20, 2016

Patrician Price, 904-823-4506

SHIPWRECKED RUDDER RETURNED TO GTM RESEARCH RESERVE

This ancient piece of history has found its way back to the GTM Research Reserve.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National

Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM Research Reserve) recently received an
old ship rudder from the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, which is

now on display at the GTM's Environmental Education Center.

"In 2005 this piece of shipwreck was uncovered on a Vilano Beach shore, just
three miles from the reserve," said Michael Shirley, director of the GTM
Research Reserve.

The rudder remained on display at the reserve until 2006 when it was sent
to the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. It was here that it
underwent a conservation procedure, which consisted of a system of tubes
used to funnel a wood adhesive into the rudder to hold it together.

This rudder, which was the primary steering mechanism for a large ship, is 12
feet long and weighs over several hundred pounds. Archaeologists suggest that
it dates back to the late 18th or early 19th century. Chuck Meide, director of the
Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program, suggested that the burn marks
near the top of the rudder could indicate it was lost during a ship fire.

The rudder was returned to the GTM Research Reserve to make room for a
new maritime research and education facility at the St. Augustine Lighthouse
and Maritime Museum. In the future, the reserve plans to build a kiosk near it
featuring a description and historical information.

For more information about the rudder, call 904-823-4500.

About GTM Research Reserve

The GTM Research Reserve is one of 28 National Estuarine Research Reserves across the nation
focused on researching, educating and protecting the natural biodiversity and cultural resources within the
estuary. It is managed by Florida Department of Environmental Protections Florida Coastal Office, in
partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Environmental Education
Center is located at 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, 32082. For more information
about the GTM Research Reserve, please call 904-823-4500 or visit www.gtmnerr.org.

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450 Guana River Road
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

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