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2. SANCTUARY RESOURCES
(c) Cultural and Historic
Resources
Excavations in recent decades
have uncovered numerous archaeological and prehistoric resources
on the northern Channel Islands and Santa Barbara Island including
seasonally occupied sites and village sites of the seafaring Chumash
and Gabrielino people (NPS, 1982b). Given that sea levels were considerably
lower during past geologic eras and that the islands are eroding,
scientists believe that the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
also contains evidence of prehistoric cultures (Berger, 1980; Department
of Commerce, 1980). Very little research to date has been undertaken
to locate and establish the significance of the submerged cultural
resources.
Historic resources of the sanctuary
include the shipwrecks of significance to our maritime history and
the remains of ships and aircraft of more recent decades. Numerous
shipwrecks from the mid-19th century to the post-war era occur on
most of the island shelves and nearshore rocks (Winfield Scott paddle
steamer, 1853; the J. F. West schooner, 1848; the schooner Comet,
1911; ĀCubaÖ cargo steamer, 1923). A few underwater historic sites
such as the Winfield Scott in FrenchyÖs Cove are well documented
but generally the resource is known only to experienced divers of
the region.
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