Are We Covered?: The Status of Non-US Navy Vessels Under the Sunken Military Craft Act

Summary

The Sunken Military Craft Act (SMCA) defines vessels covered under the act as any "sunken warship, naval auxiliary, or other vessel that was owned or operated by a government on military noncommercial service when it sank."   While the definition clearly covers most ships commissioned by the U.S. Navy (USN), the status of non-USN vessels under the SMCA is less certain.  This presentation concentrates on the last class of defined vessels by examining the "owned and operated" and "military noncommercial" components of the definition. The two elements are analyzed from a legal and historical perspective by focusing on the status of two classes of vessels - Liberty ships and privateers.  Coverage of foreign wrecks in U.S. waters is also explored through investigation of domestic and international laws and conventions devoted to protection of underwater cultural heritage.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Archaeological Research and Preservation of US Navy Ship and Aircraft Wrecks   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2016

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 832