Archival Research, Underwater Optical Surveys, and 3D Modelling: Three Stages for Shaping the Wreck of the Steamship <i>Bengala</i> (Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Crotone, Italy)
<i>Bengala</i>, a steamer that sank in 1889 near Capo Rizzuto, Italy, was a relatively new vessel for its time, with an unusually short 18-year service life, given that steamers of the period typically operated for 30 to 40 years. Despite its brief history, <i>SS Bengala</i>...
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2024-12-01
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| author | Salvatore Medaglia Fabio Bruno Ana Castelli Matteo Collina Barbara Davidde Petriaggi Luca De Rosa Julieta Frere Fabrizio Fuoco Guillermo Gutiérrez Antonio Lagudi Francesco Megna Raffaele Peluso |
| author_facet | Salvatore Medaglia Fabio Bruno Ana Castelli Matteo Collina Barbara Davidde Petriaggi Luca De Rosa Julieta Frere Fabrizio Fuoco Guillermo Gutiérrez Antonio Lagudi Francesco Megna Raffaele Peluso |
| author_sort | Salvatore Medaglia |
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| description | <i>Bengala</i>, a steamer that sank in 1889 near Capo Rizzuto, Italy, was a relatively new vessel for its time, with an unusually short 18-year service life, given that steamers of the period typically operated for 30 to 40 years. Despite its brief history, <i>SS Bengala</i> played a significant role in the development of Italy’s young merchant navy, undergoing multiple ownership changes and serving various Italian shipping companies. Employed mainly along the route to Southeast Asia, it transported Italian migrants overseas and also participated in troop raids during the Italian military expedition to Eritrea in 1887. Despite its historical significance, no iconographic material has yet been found to depict <i>SS Bengala</i>, and archival research conducted in Italy and England has not uncovered any naval plans, photographs, or drawings of the ship. To overcome this gap, the authors employed new technologies and historical information to create a virtual reconstruction. This research combined archival sources with underwater surveys, including a detailed 3D survey by divers and archaeologists. Archival research, including consultation of official documents, provided critical information on the ship’s dimensions, superstructure, rigging, materials, and construction methods. The 3D modelling of the ship’s external hull, based on precise geometric data from the wreck site, offers a first step towards virtual reconstruction. The modelling is grounded in photogrammetric surveying techniques, ensuring high accuracy in the reconstruction process. The model can be used in augmented reality (AR) applications to enhance underwater exploration, allowing divers to visualise the reconstructed ship in its original environment. Additionally, it supports museum exhibits, interactive visualisations, and educational games, making it a valuable resource for engaging the public with maritime history and archaeology. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f315d6f9af1e43cba9a41b547079d9f8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2571-9408 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heritage |
| spelling | doaj-art-f315d6f9af1e43cba9a41b547079d9f82025-01-24T13:34:19ZengMDPI AGHeritage2571-94082024-12-01811310.3390/heritage8010013Archival Research, Underwater Optical Surveys, and 3D Modelling: Three Stages for Shaping the Wreck of the Steamship <i>Bengala</i> (Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Crotone, Italy)Salvatore Medaglia0Fabio Bruno1Ana Castelli2Matteo Collina3Barbara Davidde Petriaggi4Luca De Rosa5Julieta Frere6Fabrizio Fuoco7Guillermo Gutiérrez8Antonio Lagudi9Francesco Megna10Raffaele Peluso11Department of Cultures, Education and Society, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci-Cubo 18C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical, Energetics and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci-Cubo 46C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, ItalyNational Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires C1425FQB, ArgentinaVictoria University of Wellington, Museum and Heritage Studies, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New ZealandCentral Institute for Restoration (ICR), Ministry of Culture, Via di San Michele 25, 00153 Rome, ItalyIndependent Researcher in Mechanical Engineering, 88841 Isola di Capo Rizzuto (Kr), ItalyNational Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina3D Research Srl, Via Orazio Antinori 36/C, 87036 Rende (CS), ItalyNational Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires C1425FQB, ArgentinaDepartment of Mechanical, Energetics and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci-Cubo 46C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, ItalyArpa Calabria, Regional Marine Strategy Centre, Via E. Fermi snc, 88900 Crotone, Italy3D Research Srl, Via Orazio Antinori 36/C, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy<i>Bengala</i>, a steamer that sank in 1889 near Capo Rizzuto, Italy, was a relatively new vessel for its time, with an unusually short 18-year service life, given that steamers of the period typically operated for 30 to 40 years. Despite its brief history, <i>SS Bengala</i> played a significant role in the development of Italy’s young merchant navy, undergoing multiple ownership changes and serving various Italian shipping companies. Employed mainly along the route to Southeast Asia, it transported Italian migrants overseas and also participated in troop raids during the Italian military expedition to Eritrea in 1887. Despite its historical significance, no iconographic material has yet been found to depict <i>SS Bengala</i>, and archival research conducted in Italy and England has not uncovered any naval plans, photographs, or drawings of the ship. To overcome this gap, the authors employed new technologies and historical information to create a virtual reconstruction. This research combined archival sources with underwater surveys, including a detailed 3D survey by divers and archaeologists. Archival research, including consultation of official documents, provided critical information on the ship’s dimensions, superstructure, rigging, materials, and construction methods. The 3D modelling of the ship’s external hull, based on precise geometric data from the wreck site, offers a first step towards virtual reconstruction. The modelling is grounded in photogrammetric surveying techniques, ensuring high accuracy in the reconstruction process. The model can be used in augmented reality (AR) applications to enhance underwater exploration, allowing divers to visualise the reconstructed ship in its original environment. Additionally, it supports museum exhibits, interactive visualisations, and educational games, making it a valuable resource for engaging the public with maritime history and archaeology.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/1/13historic iron shipmaritime archaeologyshipwrecksteam-powered vessel and steamerunderwater heritageunderwater photogrammetry |
| spellingShingle | Salvatore Medaglia Fabio Bruno Ana Castelli Matteo Collina Barbara Davidde Petriaggi Luca De Rosa Julieta Frere Fabrizio Fuoco Guillermo Gutiérrez Antonio Lagudi Francesco Megna Raffaele Peluso Archival Research, Underwater Optical Surveys, and 3D Modelling: Three Stages for Shaping the Wreck of the Steamship <i>Bengala</i> (Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Crotone, Italy) Heritage historic iron ship maritime archaeology shipwreck steam-powered vessel and steamer underwater heritage underwater photogrammetry |
| title | Archival Research, Underwater Optical Surveys, and 3D Modelling: Three Stages for Shaping the Wreck of the Steamship <i>Bengala</i> (Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Crotone, Italy) |
| title_full | Archival Research, Underwater Optical Surveys, and 3D Modelling: Three Stages for Shaping the Wreck of the Steamship <i>Bengala</i> (Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Crotone, Italy) |
| title_fullStr | Archival Research, Underwater Optical Surveys, and 3D Modelling: Three Stages for Shaping the Wreck of the Steamship <i>Bengala</i> (Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Crotone, Italy) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Archival Research, Underwater Optical Surveys, and 3D Modelling: Three Stages for Shaping the Wreck of the Steamship <i>Bengala</i> (Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Crotone, Italy) |
| title_short | Archival Research, Underwater Optical Surveys, and 3D Modelling: Three Stages for Shaping the Wreck of the Steamship <i>Bengala</i> (Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Crotone, Italy) |
| title_sort | archival research underwater optical surveys and 3d modelling three stages for shaping the wreck of the steamship i bengala i isola di capo rizzuto crotone italy |
| topic | historic iron ship maritime archaeology shipwreck steam-powered vessel and steamer underwater heritage underwater photogrammetry |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/1/13 |
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