Mystic in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Research Submersible Asherah
Photographed by Michael Herrick, September 16, 2024
1. Research Submersible Asherah Marker
Built: 1964, Electric Boat, Groton, CT
Length: 16'
Weight: 4.5 tons
Maximum speed: 4 knots
This little submarine played a giant role in the field of underwater archaeology. It was commissioned by archaeologist George F. Bass, a leader in the field of maritime archaeology. Built in 1964 by Electric Boat in Groton, Asherah was the first privately built research submersible. It is named for a Phoenician goddess.
Bass persuaded the University of Pennsylvania to purchase the two-person research submersible for his research on shipwrecks in the Mediterranean. It was intended to help search for unknown shipwrecks and to allow an excavation director to stay in place above a site while excavation workers dove from the surface. Bass and his colleagues also pioneered methods to map shipwrecks directly from the submersible.
High costs soon made Asherah too expensive to continue using, but it proved the potential of submersibles for research, and it inspired later submersibles. It was donated to Mystic Seaport Museum in 2023 for preservation of this important nautical history.
( photo caption )
The Asherah in use during George Bass's excavation of a Byzantine shipwreck from the 7th century AD, off the island of Yassiada in Turkey. The image shows the original camera frame that was
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.
Location. 41° 21.747′ N, 71° 57.916′ W. Marker is in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is in Mystic. It is at the intersection of Greenmanville Avenue and Bruggeman Place, on the right when traveling south on Greenmanville Avenue. Located in Mystic Seaport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Stonington CT 06378, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline, in Greater New London, in Mystic and the Eastern Shore, and in the Thames River Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New London County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Clara Tinkhams Cabin (a few steps from this marker); The History of the Charles W. Morgan (within shouting distance of this marker); Whaleship Charles W. Morgan (within shouting distance of this marker); The Amistad Flagship of Connecticut (within shouting distance of this marker); Connecting Cultures (within shouting distance of this marker); Fishing Schooner L.A. Dunton (within shouting distance of this marker); Changing Perceptions of the Natural World (within shouting distance of this marker); Cape Cod Catboat Breck Marshall (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stonington.
Regarding Research Submersible Asherah. The submarine was
Photographed by Michael Herrick, September 16, 2024
2. Research Submersible Asherah
Also see . . .
1. Asherah (submarine) (Wikipedia). (Submitted on December 19, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Mystic Seaport. (Submitted on December 19, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed by Michael Herrick, September 16, 2024
3. Research Submersible Asherah
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 19, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
