The Cambrian Age occurred about 500 million years ago and lasted for about 80 million years, during which all life was confined to water. It is also the first geological age from which we have recovered a good fossil record.
The most familiar fossils of the Cambrian Period are the Trilobites, the bug-like ancestors of today’s crustaceans. It is this reason that an image of Trilobite fossils is used by the Foundation.
The Mission Begins August 11, 1999 – With high hopes for a successful first day, we headed out this morning at 0715. We had assigned postions for each member: Captain, R/V Cape Fear – Dan Aspenleiter Principle Investigator – Dr. John Broadwater NOAA Historian – Jeff Johnston Diving Safety Officer…
Ken Johns fills cylinders for diving Kyle Creamer fills cylinders for diving Tune-ups Conclude August 10, 1999 – after 2 days on shore because of bad weather, we finally made it out to finish the tune-up dives. On the 8th and just in time to wait on shore with us,…
The Monitor encounters rough seas The Monitor begins to take on water The Monitor begins to sink The Monitor strikes the bottom The Monitor comes to rest on the bottom On the morning of December 29, 1862, the Monitor was prepared for sea. She was to be transferred to another…
The battle The sinking The shot and shell from the CSS Virginia tore through the unarmored wooden hull of the USS Cumberland as if it was made of paper. Each shell that ripped into her unprotected interior carried with it huge splinters that dealt death and destruction in wholesale fashion.…