New Exhibit "SHIPWRECK!"
Drops Anchor in February

Miami, FL -- Set sail for adventure with the Miami Museum of Science's exciting new interactive exhibit, SHIPWRECK! Spanish Galleons and the Search for Sunken Treasure, on display from February 1 to June 15, 1997. Visitors will follow the ill-fated journey of the Santa Margarita, a Spanish Galleon tossed and sunk by a 1622 hurricane, just two days after leaving the port of Havana. Ship's artifacts will help them experience the science of 17th century sailing and navigation. They can also test the weight of a cannonball, practice sailing a ship using a scale tiller and whipstaff and navigate using a mariner's astrolabe.

The second part of SHIPWRECK! reveals how 20th century technology has become indispensable in finding wreckage and retrieving historically important and valuable artifacts. Visitors will explore a hands-on re-creation of the Santa Margarita wreck site, learn how to use charts of the period and identify encrusted objects.

A simulated conservation laboratory reveals how scientists remove three century-old marine deposits. And what would a shipwreck be without treasure? In SHIPWRECK!, there are artifacts such as gold, silver, indigo, pearls, spices, porcelain, emeralds and copper.

Batten down the hatches and hoist the main sail for this high seas adventure starting February 1, 1997. SHIPWRECK! was created by the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society in Key West, FL.

The Miami Museum of Science & Space Transit Planetarium is a not-for-profit institution that opens the door to the world by creating exciting learning experiences.