GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1208

Short Title:  Funds for Blackbeard's Flagship.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Culpepper; and Goodwin.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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May 5, 1997

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF QUEEN ANNE'S REVENGE.
Whereas, the famous pirate Edward Teach, also known as Blackbeard, established homes in Bath and on Ocracoke Island, died in a battle near Ocracoke Island, and, as a result, has become an integral part of the history of the State; and
Whereas, in November 1996, an underwater research firm, working under a permit from the Department of Cultural Resources, discovered an early 18th century shipwreck in State waters near Beaufort Inlet in Carteret County that has been identified as Blackbeard's flagship, Queen Anne's Revenge; and
Whereas, several artifacts of historical significance have been retrieved from the shipwreck, including a bronze bell dated 1709, a 24-pound cannonball, and a blunderbuss barrel; and
Whereas, pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 121 of the General Statutes, the State has title and exclusive dominion and control over, and the Department of Cultural Resources is the custodian of, shipwrecks and underwater archaeological artifacts located in State waters; and
Whereas, the Department of Cultural Resources has the duty and responsibility of preserving and protecting shipwrecks and of conducting a systematic underwater archaeological recovery of underwater artifacts of historical value to the State; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Cultural Resources the sum of one million three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000) for the 1997-98 fiscal year for the surveillance, preservation, and protection of the shipwreck of Blackbeard's flagship, Queen Anne's Revenge, and a systematic underwater archaeological recovery of cargo, tackle, and artifacts therefrom, which recovered underwater materials shall be placed with the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum on Hatteras Island for preservation, interpretation, and display.
Section 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1997.