Drone Tech Uncovers Potential Civil War Submarine in NJ Creek

In a thrilling development for history buffs and drone enthusiasts alike, a high-tech aerial survey has potentially located a long-lost piece of Civil War history. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that a drone equipped with advanced magnetometer technology may have pinpointed the resting place of the Alligator Jr., a Union-side submarine prototype, in New Jersey‘s Rancocas Creek.

A 20-Year Quest Takes Flight

On a crisp September morning in 2024, the quiet shores of Rancocas Creek buzzed with anticipation. Local historian Alice Smith, now 76, watched intently as a sleek black drone took to the skies, carrying with it two decades of hope and research.

“It’s been a 20-year adventure, and extremely enjoyable,” Smith reportedly reflected. “I’d like to accept congratulations, but I think we’re at a point where there are some additional steps to take and I have some mixed emotions.”

The High-Tech Hunt

The drone, a marvel of modern technology, hovered 100 feet above the creek’s surface. Four cables dangled beneath it, clutching a cigar-shaped magnetometer that looked almost comical, like “the prize in an arcade claw game.” But this was no game – it was potentially the final chapter in a historical mystery that had captivated Smith for half her life.

As the drone swept over the creek in a meticulous zigzag pattern, its magnetometer scanned for traces of iron buried deep in the mud. The team was searching for any sign of the Alligator Jr., a Civil War-era submarine prototype believed to have been abandoned or deliberately sunk in these waters back in 1861.

A Promising Discovery

The results, released on October 4, sent waves of excitement through the historical community. The drone had detected a large magnetic anomaly weighing between 2 and 10 tons, buried beneath the creek bed. Its size and shape tantalizingly matched what experts would expect from the iron-hulled Alligator Jr.

“Still, this is probably the best report that I’ve gotten in those 20 years,” Smith said, her voice a mix of excitement and cautious optimism.

The Alligator Jr.: A Pioneer of Undersea Warfare

The Alligator Jr. wasn’t just any old boat. It was a crucial stepping stone in the development of the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet. Designed and built in 1859 by French-born inventor Brutus de Villeroi, this vessel was truly ahead of its time.

Measuring approximately 30 feet in length and weighing several tons, the Alligator Jr. was an engineering marvel of its day. Its crew likely propelled the craft by pedaling, much like a recumbent bicycle, to turn the propeller – a far cry from the nuclear-powered behemoths that prowl the depths today.

Originally built for salvage work, the Alligator Jr. caught the eye of the Union Navy not long after the outbreak of the Civil War. Its journey from experimental craft to potential war machine was not without incident, however. At one point, it was seized by suspicious harbor Police in Delaware, who dubbed it an “infernal machine.” The incident drew thousands of curious onlookers, eager for a glimpse inside this mysterious vessel.

Historical Significance

If confirmed, the discovery of the Alligator Jr. would be a monumental find for both Archaeology and naval history. James Delgado, a preeminent U.S. maritime archaeologist, emphasized the rarity of such a discovery.

“There’s not that many of these things left around,” Delgado explained. “There were so many being made, but how many survived? Very few. I mean, there’s just a handful.”

The Alligator Jr. represents a crucial period in the evolution of submarine technology. It was developed during an intensely competitive time, as 19th-century inventors from around the world raced to patent submarine designs. This vessel served as the prototype for the U.S.’s first naval submarine, the 40-foot-long Alligator, which unfortunately sank off the coast of Cape Hatteras, N.C., in 1863 and has never been found.

The Search Team and Next Steps

Smith’s quest has brought together an impressive team of volunteers and experts over the years. For this crucial drone survey, she raised funds online to hire RETTEW, an engineering firm with a large magnetometer. Timothy Dunham and Oleksander Kerod from RETTEW operated the drone and monitored the data collection.

The search has been a family affair for Smith. Her daughter, Kelly Drumm, now 48, has watched her mother’s dedication to this project for over two decades.

“She’s very excited. She’s put so much hard work into this,” Drumm said. “I don’t think a lot of people really understand the extent of the research she’s conducted. She’s just so passionate about it.”

While the drone survey results are promising, more work is needed to definitively confirm the find. Vince Capone, founder of Black Laser Learning and an expert in locating shipwrecks, cautioned that ground-penetrating radar would be needed to get a clearer picture of what’s buried in the creek bed. After that, researchers would need to dig a test hole.

If the anomaly does prove to be the Alligator Jr., excavating it would be a complex and expensive undertaking, requiring both archaeological and environmental permits.

Protecting the Potential Discovery

For now, the exact location of the anomaly is being kept secret to protect the site from amateur treasure hunters or well-meaning but potentially damaging exploration attempts. Capone has written a report on the findings with GPS coordinates redacted to ensure the site’s safety.

DroneXL’s Take

This fascinating search for the Alligator Jr. perfectly illustrates the groundbreaking potential of drone inspection technology in fields far beyond their original applications. We’ve extensively covered how drones are transforming industries from construction to agriculture, but their use in archaeological research opens up a whole new world of possibilities.

The combination of aerial mobility and advanced sensors, like the magnetometer used in this search, demonstrates how UAV technology can be adapted for highly specialized tasks. It’s not just about inspecting modern infrastructure anymore – drones are now tools for peering into the past, unlocking historical mysteries that have eluded researchers for decades.

This Civil War submarine search is a prime example of how Drone Technology can aid in non-invasive archaeological exploration. By using drones, researchers can cover large areas quickly and efficiently, without disturbing the landscape or potential artifacts. This approach could revolutionize how we conduct archaeological surveys, making them faster, cheaper, and less damaging to sites.

As we continue to push the boundaries of drone technology, who knows what other historical secrets we might uncover? From lost cities in dense jungles to sunken ships in treacherous waters, the possibilities are truly exciting.

What are your thoughts on using drones for archaeological searches? Do you think this technology could lead to more significant historical discoveries in the future? Share your opinions in the comments section below!

Photo courtesy of M. Martinez / The Philadelphia Inquirer