The Archaeological Society of Delaware invites invites everyone to join and hear about a presentation by Historical Archaeologist Charles H. Fithian on the HMS DeBraak.

On May 25, 1798, while on convoy escort duty the British sloop of war DeBraak was struck by a sudden squall, capsized, and foundered on the Delaware coast. Discovered in 1984, the surviving hull remnant and its associated artifact collection represents a rare and unparalleled view into the material world of shipboard life aboard a Royal Navy warship. DeBraak’s presence in American waters is an archaeological expression of important events that were affecting and linking the lives of diverse peoples living in the Atlantic world of the late eighteenth century.

The life of the sailor of the eighteenth century is frequently misunderstood, hidden by their distinctive lifestyle and longstanding popular mythology. Using information derived from the study of the DeBraak and its artifacts, this presentation will provide an alternate archaeological perspective on the world of the naval sailor. It will show the complexities of their “wooden world,” and place it into the wider context of maritime culture, naval warfare, and the historical events shaping the of the late eighteenth century Atlantic World.

Charles H. Fithian holds a Master’s Degree in History from Salisbury University, with a concentration in Colonial and Revolutionary America. He was responsible for the curation of the State of Delaware’s extensive 4+ million artifact archaeological collection; managed and directed the conservation, research and curation of the hull and associated collection of the DeBraak, a Royal Navy sloop of war lost on the Delaware coast in 1798, also managed and directed other archaeological and historical research projects for the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.

Archaeology is a scientific discipline that seeks to understand how people lived in the past. It is the only means of learning new information about those who left no written records and provides another avenue of study for those who did leave records. Delaware prehistory dates back of 12,000 years and there is a rich colonial history: all of which can be studied through archaeology.

The Archaeological Society of Delaware is a non-profit organization established to promote the preservation and study of archaeological sites in Delaware. Advocacy is an important aspect of the society as sites succumb to development, coastal erosion, and infrastructure projects. Membership is open to all persons with an interest and there are three chapters (New Castle, Kent, and Sussex).