Abstract
U.S.S. Cherokee, a 120-foot WWI tugboat, rests between 80 and 90 feet underwater off the coast of Delaware. Originally named Edgar F. Luckenbach, the vessel was purchased and modified in 1917 to support offshore towing services for the Navy. Cherokee sank on February 26, 1918, with at least twenty-nine of the crew. This project produced several orthomosaics and 3D models of various parts of Cherokee and a full report on the site including an analysis of the time and resources spent attempting photogrammetry with a data set of this quality. Specific problems identified in relation to processing this project include the original image quality, lack of ambient light at the depth data was collected, and a short data collection period. All of which resulted in the need for extensive photo editing and manual alignment during photogrammetry attempts. Photo processing software, specifically Agisoft Metashape, has been utilized to represent several significant features of the vessel. The data for this project was collected through the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management by Chris Horrell and Fritz Hanselmann in 2021, therefore, photogrammetric products and written assessments have been submitted to BOEM. The software and this repetitive attempt to create an orthomosaic were selected to produce the most optimal opportunity for future reference and study of the site’s condition as of 2021. Data of this quality required extensive manual alignment involving several hours of focus and attention to detail prior to processing. When successful, photogrammetric models are an accessible way for any interested party to conveniently experience shipwrecks without time constraints from a safe location. However, the data collected must be capable of producing a quality depiction to fulfill various audiences’ needs. Sharing maritime archaeology and diving with people who have never had the opportunity is difficult, however, photo models make aspects of diving and underwater information more attainable to a wider and more diverse audience.