Hotel Indigo Conservation Update: The Ship Model

The team at the Conservation Research Lab continues to work on the ship remnant found in 2015 at the Hotel Indigo Site (44AX229). A 3-D printed model of the ship is on display at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum
Page updated on December 22, 2021 at 3:54 PM
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The Ship Model

May 2021

Hotel Indigo Ship 1 model under construction
Ship Model under construction

As part of the conservation of the ship, researchers at Texas A&M University created a 3D printed model of the vessel. This model includes the archaeologically recovered remains and an extrapolated wire frame representing the inferred hull shape. The dimensions of the reconstructed remains are consistent with a vessel with a 58 foot long keel, a roughly 18.5 wide beam for an overall hull length of 70 feet. The heavy framing and relatively flat floors suggest the deep hold of a merchant vessel, perhaps a brig or large sloop. The 1:12 scale model is currently on display in the Archaeology museum as part of the Preserving Alexandria’s Maritime Heritage exhibit. 

Read The Model Reconstruction and Presentation of the Indigo Wreck, Alexandria, Virginia,  Glenn Grieco, Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation Ship Model Lab Texas A&M University

Hotel Indigo Ship 1 model on display in the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. Photo, K. Grubbs

Model of the Hotel Indigo ship, on display in the Alexandria Archaeology Museum (44AX229)