Request for Proposal
Open The Oceans Contest #1
Seattle Central College
Exploring an Elliott Bay Barge Wreck:
A Proposal to Investigate a Shipwreck Site in Elliott Bay
Amy Morren
Taylor Cross
Whitney Tuxbury
February 23rd, 2015
What are we proposing to do?
The possible location of a 1949 sunken barge known as Milwaukee Terminal Barge No. 6 (MT6)
has previously been identified in Elliott Bay. The MT6, later known as the Mighty Tacoma, was
operational as a railcar ferry barge in an era when barges used to transport railroad cars across
the bay. A location originally claimed to be the MT6 wreck site has previously been identified in
Elliott Bay. The site we plan to investigate is at a different location and believed to be the true
wreck site of the MT6 based on historical information and existing sonar data.
Our team proposes to explore the wreckage and environment of the wreck site in Elliott Bay
believed to be true MT6 wreck site. Our team also proposes to explore the cause of this wreck
and possible preferential habitation of biological species using various techniques to analyze
data collected on a dive in the Antipodes submersible. Analysis of this wreck from a both a
physics and biological perspective could provide insight to the identity of the barge, the cause of
its demise, and the impact of the wreck on its biological surroundings.
How does our approach solve a problem addressed in the RFP?
Collected data from the dive will be used in two ways. First, we will use sonar to map the site of
the wreckage and collect dimensional measurements for a 3D model. Our team hopes to
analyze this data in comparison with existing historical information about the MT6 barge to
further confirm the possible identification of the wreckage as MT6 and how it sank.
Secondly, our team hopes to quantify biological species inhabiting the wreck to examine the
biological impact of the wreck on its surrounding ocean floor environment.
Additionally, our team hopes to analyze existing data on current flow around the wreck area to
potentially determine more information about the cause of the wreck itself and the possibility of
preferential habitation of biological species potentially affected by current flow or nutrient
availability. Since little information is known about this wreck site, our team hopes to gather
more useful data and information to support or refute existing data and claims.
How will our team accomplish the plan?
Our team will collect visual observation and sonar data from the Antipodes submersible. We will
begin by collecting 3D point cloud data using the Teledyne BlueView 2D and 3D multibeam
sonars and GPS surface tracking Antipodes is equipped with. This data, along with
photographic images and video will be used to construct and actualize a printed 3D model of the
wreck site. This model will be used to analyze the cause of the wreck itself. Using dimensions
from the 3D model, we will use photographic images and video data again to locate and quantify
biological species potentially inhabiting the wreck and surrounding environment.
How will we share what we have done with our peers and wider community?
The entire process of data collection, data formatting, and data analysis will be available for all
future Open The Oceans submersible endeavors. Information pertaining to the execution of this
process will enable future teams to utilize the point cloud data and 3D modeling process to
maximum their efficiency and minimize preparation planning time by making the process and
knowledge accessible.
Our team will keep a written record in blog form on wordpress.com. We will include photographs
and videos from the dive of data collection, tutorials on the formatting of the data, and technical
details regarding the biological analysis and creation of the model printed from the formatted
data. We will organize our process, data, analysis, results, and conclusions in Powerpoint and
poster presentation sharable formats. The 3D printed model of the wreck will also be submitted
for educational purposes. We are also open to sharing our data and results with Seattle
Aquarium, UW programs, Puget Sound Divers, and any other potential organizations of interest.
References:
Puget Sound Divers: SL Hydrospheric Pro SAS60 High Resolution Images Lead to Historic
Wreck Identification: http://pugetsounddivers.com/journal/?category=Elliott+Bay
Team Bios:
Amy Morren has completed the year series of general chemistry, calculus, physics, and has
taken courses in Java and Engineering at Seattle Central College. Amy currently has an
extensive work history concentrating mostly in hospitality and specialty coffee, but has lately
become involved with some technical projects that hone her skills and creativity. She likes to
build things and after designing and building her first bicycle-powered generator last year has
decided to work with Taylor Cross to assemble the mendel prusia i2 3D printer for the Seattle
Central College 3D Print Club to aid in future design and build endeavors by other students.
Taylor Cross is finishing her Associate of Science transfer degree in June 2015 after completing
the engineering physics, as well as the calculus and engineering series at Seattle Central
College. She will be continuing her education toward a degree in mechanical engineering at a
four-year university next fall. She has an enthusiasm for all curiosities of the physical world. She
enjoys hand on projects, and is currently working with Amy Morren on assembling a 3D printer
for the future of Seattle Central College students.
Whitney Tuxbury will have completed the year series of biology, anatomy & physiology, general
chemistry, calculus, physics, and organic chemistry at Seattle Central College this June 2015 in
fulfillment of medical school prerequisites. Whitney earned a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in music
performance and studio art from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon in 2006. She
worked as a tile installer and in the social work field before returning to school to pursue a
career in integrative medicine. Having grown up in Montana, Whitney has an innate curiosity for
exploration of the natural world, including what lies beneath the surface of our oceans.