Audio Scripts

Audio interpretation is used in a variety of settings from zoos to aquaria to art museums to augment printed labels -- or to provide more in-depth or flexible labeling. This audio script was part of a New Jersey State Aquarium exhibit about undersea exploration. It was used to interpret artifacts recovered by wreck diver Gary Gentile. Visitors pressed a button to learn more about the Resor and other New Jersey wrecks.

Wreck Diving Audio Script

Estimated Time: 1 Minute 30 Second.

IT WAS 1942 -- THE HEIGHT OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR. GERMAN U-BOATS LAY OFF THE COAST OF THE UNITED STATES, WAITING TO TORPEDO ANY TANKER, FREIGHTER OR SHIP OF WAR. THE R.P. RESOR, A TANKER, WAS CARRYING BARRELS OF CRUDE OIL FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS TO FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS.

AT 11:30 ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 26TH, THE MOON WAS BRIGHT OVER THE WATER. ABLE SEAMAN JOHN FORSDAL SAW A DARK OBJECT APPEAR NOT FAR AHEAD. SUDDENLY, AN EXPLOSION RIPPED APART THE SIDE OF THE SHIP. OIL POURED OUT, AND PLUMES OF SMOKE ROSE TO THE SKY. BEFORE THE NIGHT WAS OVER, ALMOST ALL THE CREW HAD DISAPPEARED -- SOME CAUGHT IN THE RAGING FIRE, OTHERS LOST OVERBOARD.

TODAY, THE R.P. RESOR IS AN OFFSHORE DIVING SITE THAT ABOUNDS WITH COD AND POLLOCK. TO EXPLORE THE RESOR, WE PUT ON DRY SUITS TO PROTECT OURSELVES FROM THE BITTER COLD OF THE WATER, AND CARRY HEAVY TANKS OF AIR ON OUR BACKS.

THE RESOR LIES ABOUT 130 FEET DOWN, IN MURKY WATER. SEA CREATURES HAVE EATEN AWAY AT THE SHIP; THE WRECKAGE HAS BEEN BADLY DAMAGED. STILL, WE CAN SEE THE FAINT OUTLINE OF THE SHIP AND SWIM THROUGH ITS HATCHES -- AND IMAGINE THE FEELINGS OF THE MEN ABOARD ON THAT FATEFUL FEBRUARY NIGHT.

OTHER SHIPS OF THE SAME PERIOD, LIKE THE COIMBRA, THE MOONSTONE AND THE GERMAN U-853 WERE ALSO LOST DURING THE WAR. RUSTED ARTILLERY, BARNACLE-ENCRUSTED TORPEDO TUBES AND OTHER ARTIFACTS TELL A FRIGHTENING TALE OF WAR JUST OFF OUR OWN COAST.

RECOVERED OBJECTS CAN HELP US LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY PRESERVED UNDER THE WAVES. WRECK DIVERS BRING UP ARTIFACTS IN STRONG MESH BAGS. HEAVIER ITEMS, LIKE PORTHOLES, MAY BE BROUGHT UP ON CABLES. BESIDES OBJECTS, WRECK DIVERS BRING BACK DRAMATIC PHOTOGRAPHS LIKE THE ONES YOU ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW.

SOME WRECK ARTIFACTS ARE SALVAGED FOR PROFIT. BUT MANY OTHERS ARE DISPLAYED AT PUBLIC PLACES LIKE THIS AQUARIUM. TAKE SOME TIME TO EXPLORE THIS AREA -- AND TOUCH THE ARTIFACTS I BROUGHT BACK FROM MY NEW JERSEY DIVES. THE OBJECTS ARE HERE SO THAT VISITORS LIKE YOU CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND THE STORIES -- SOMETIMES FRIGHTENING, SOMETIMES THRILLING -- OF PEOPLE AND THE SEA.