By Karen Balayan
In search of “Quedah Merchant” wrecks a joint expedition together with “Anahit” Association was launched on a ketch (2-mast yacht) in winter of 2007 – 2008. During the expedition we discovered some things and investigated the seaboard bottom as well. Unfortunately, the body of the vessel is lost completely, but we were happy to find ship guns covered by the corals.
Just before submerging the “Adventure Galley” Kidd transferred the whole property, including the guns, to the captured Armenian ship. As there were more guns than it was possible to use as a weapon, a part of them was used as ballast; that explains why they were found piled together. On the other hand, the crew, leaving the vessel, took with them and sold everything possible and fired the ship. As a result, no remnants of ship or load are present now.
Now we can imagine ourselves the last days of the “Quedah Merchant”. Obviously, Captain Kidd anchored the vessel in the estuary of La Romana River and left for New York in order to take care of his own problems. Meantime, waiting for their captain, the crew sold the remaining goods piece by piece. Finally, when it became clear that the Captain Kidd won’t return back, his folks sacked everything and fired the ship.
The ES winds are vernacular to this region – they blew all 20 days of our stay at the island. On the other hand the local sea stream is NW and coincides with the wind along the same axes (the wind blows into the compass, and the stream from the compass). That is why, when the anchor cable broke off, the burning ship was taken by the river’s stream to the open sea and stranded at Catalina Island in 3 miles away from the estuary of La Romana River, and at the island’s windward was completely ruined. No captain might anchor a ship at windward when it is possible to turn around the island and to find a convenient and serene harbor. And a couple of facts witness for that assumption. For instance, the site of the wreck is just 3 to 4 meters only (let’s recall that the ship’s displacement was 400 tons, so the depth of the vessel is approximately the same, and, probably, the vessel was touching sea bottom). On the other hand, there was no ship body found, which was wrecked by the swash – the burnt out vessel was thrown onto the rocks by the Eastern side of Catalina Island and the swash, crashing everything, just completed the job. However, we tried to find whatever possible yet. We submerged again and again, toothcombed the bottom up to 35 meters deep, but found nothing except the beauty of the Caribbean.
AYAS Nautical Research Club Diving Department
Head of Department, Instructor Rafayel Mkrtchyan(ARM.ACSDI.0001)
Instructor Artak Elmasakyan (ARM.ACSDI.0002)
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AYAS Club. Aalpine waters Graduated Divers:
Vadim Pyltsov. Divemaster.ARM.ACSDM.0002
*
AYAS Club First Step Graduated Divers (up to 15m admissible dept for alpine waters and up to 17m for sea level waters):
Alexander Margaryan (ARM.ACSDG.0005)
Armen Khalatyan (ARM.ACSDG.0006)
Gagik Margaryan (ARM.ACSDG.0007)
Karen Qoloyan (ARM.ACSDG.0008)
Kristine Karapetyan (ARM.ACSDG.0009)
Samvel Rostomyan (ARM.ACSDG.0010)
Artashes Emin (ARM.ACSDG.0011)
Anahit Davtyan (ARM.ACSDG.0012)
Ara Tamanyan (ARM.ACSDG.0013)
Armenak Avagyan (ARM.ACSDG.0014)
Mihran Sahakyan (ARM.ACSDG.0015)
Gevorg Elmasakyan (ARM.ACSDG.0016)
Artur Ghumashyan (ARM.ACSDG.0017)
Anahit Matevosyan (ARM.ACSDG.0018)
Davit Gevorgyan (ARM.ACSDG.0019)
Arshak Avagyan (ARM.ACSDG.0020)
Arkadi Khachatryan (ARM.ACSDG.0021)
A. Reza Shams (ARM.ACSDG.0022)
Gevorg Karapetyan (ARM.ACSDG.0023)
Gor Grigoryan (ARM.ACSDG.0024) youth
Daniel Tagvoryan (ARM.ACSDG.0025) youth
Armen Harutyunyan (ARM.ACSDG.0026) youth
Gegam Harutyunyan (ARM.ACSDG.0027)
Dmytro Samarets(ARM.ACSDG.0028)
Vachagan Andikyan(ARM.ACSDG.0029)
Hovsep Manukyan(ARM.ACSDG.0030)
Babken Hakobyan(ARM.ACSDG.0031)
Armen Tonoyan(ARM.ACSDG.0032)
Artur Hayrapetyan(ARM.ACSDG.0033)
Vahram Afandyan(ARM.ACSDG.0034)
Ashot Afandyan(ARM.ACSDG.0035)
Mikael Afandyan(ARM.ACSDG.0036)
Artashes Baghdasaryan(ARM.ACSDG.0037)
Artur Mankikyan (ARM.ACSDG.0038)
Mila Hamzayan(ARM.ACSDG.0039)
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Divers-Veterans of the AYAS Club
Karen Balayan 
Mamikon Hakobyan
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<a rel=”attachment wp-att-1515″ href=”http://ayas.am/diving_ru/attachment/1515/”><img class=”alignleft size-full wp-image-1515″ title=”—” src=”http://ayas.am/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/JPG” alt=”" width=”46″ height=”46″ /></a>Геворг Элмасакян (ARM.ACSDG.0016)
<a rel=”attachment wp-att-1516″ href=”http://ayas.am/diving_ru/attachment/1516/”><img class=”alignleft size-full wp-image-1516″ title=”—” src=”http://ayas.am/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/JPG1″ alt=”" width=”45″ height=”44″ /></a>Артур Гумашян (ARM.ACSDG.0017)
Anahit Matevosyan (ARM.ACSDG.0018)
*
Սուզակներ /դայվերներ/ ԱՅԱՍ ակումբի վետերաններ`
Կարեն Բալայան 
Մամիկոն Հակոբյան
*
*
Our Friends
Vadim
Vahe
Stepan
diving@ayas.am
* At 17 of November a meeting with Associated professor Charles Beeker from Indiana University (USA) have took place in the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography NAS of RA. Mr. Beeker is head of group of underwater archaeologists which are excavating «Quedagh Merchant» during last 4 years. This is an Armenian merchant ship captured by William Kidd in1698 and had sunk there in 1699. By opinion of the professor this is a unique opportunity to research the remains of very unusual vessel. Wood analysis showed, that wood is the teak from Malabar coast of India. Construction of planking connections testified, that the ship had built at Surat city in India. The pieces of planking had been glued! And the most important, that the vessel exactly identified, which is relatively seldom happened. By initiative of professor Beeker the bronze plate with information about the vessel had been established underwater on the site of shipwreck, and the capsule with the Armenian flag immured under the plate as well.
Reminding, that the “AYAS” Nautical Research Club jointly with “ANAHIT” Association have realized the Expedition to the Caribbean to the site of the shipwreck in winter of 2007-2008. Mr. & Mrs. Pavel Galoumyan and Isabella Agad-Galoumyan, founders of the Association, have gave the yacht (ketch) and completely financed the expedition.
Professor Beekers’ excavations had started in 2008.
* 21 of September: Independent day!
Group of Pilgrims have sailed to the Sevan Monastery aboard of “Cilicia”.
* 18 of September “Cilicia” had been invited by “ZHAYR” (“The Rock”) youth association for 20 years of Armenia independent day celebration at the East coast of the lake. A few thousand young people had possibility to visit the legendary sailing ship.
* AYB school pupils aboard of the ship.
*Lake Sevan Sea-gals islands shore cleaning: AYAS club and “Birthright Armenia” Youth Foundation jointly.
* The Armenian Sailing Championship for children took place from 15 to 20 of August on the Lake Sevan in Sevan City Yacht Club. The championship devoted to the memory of Armen Meliqyan, president of Sailing Federation of Armenia. “Kilikia” was honored guest of the regatta. The winners were rewarded aboard of the ship.
* 21 of Jule Rafael Mkrtchyan, Artak Elmasakyan and Karen Balayan have dived into the waters of Qari Lich – an alpine lake on the mount Aragats in Armenia. The lake is situated on 3200m above the sea level. On the bottom of the lake have established the Flag of Armenia, pennants of AYAS Club, Hay Extrim Association and ARARAT Beer Co. (sponsor of expedition). A special group of medics made scientific investigations of divers in extremal conditions.
* On the 11-th of July sailing ship “CILICIA” was lounched at the waters of the Lake Sevan. After 5 years of forced land standing the ship finnaly appeared in here’s natural environment.
*At 4 of May the Club started “CILICIA” sailing ship renovation works.
* At 31 of March the Club had meeting with heads of the AYB Club and the LUYS Foundation, discussing for the future co-operation.
* At 31 of March a group of children from QSI International school visited “Cilicia” sailing ship in Yerevan. Memers of the crew told about the history of the ship and her round Europe trip.
* “SEA CULTURE – CULTURE OF HUMANITY IN THE DIALOGUE OF CIVILIZATIONS” – conference almanac had issued! The Conference, which devoted to 25 anniversary of the “AYAS” Club, had been organized and passed by “AYAS” Nautical Research Club joitly with the Institute of History NAS RA and the Institute of Oriental Studies NAS RA in Yerevan from 14 to 16 of May 2010.
*25 of March, the “AYAS” Nautical Research Club is selebrating his 26-th anniversary!
Congratulations!
The members of the Club have celebrated the birthday by working on the “Cilicia” vessel.
*24 of March The Club had a meeteng with “Ayb” Club representatives.
SEA CULTURE – CULTURE OF HUMANITY
IN THE DIALOGUE OF CIVILIZATIONS
Scientific Conference devoted to the 25-th anniversary of
“Ayas” Nautical Research Club
/2010 , 14-16 May/
Board
1. Dr. Edward Danielyan, Chairman, Head Editor, (Institute of History, NAS RA)
2. Dr. Ashot Melkonyan (Fellow-correspondent of NAS RA, Director of Institute of History NAS RA)
3. Dr. Ruben Safrastyan (Director of Institute of Eastern Studies NAS RA)
4. Karen Balayan (president of “AYAS” Nautical Research Club)
5. Karen Danielyan (Secretary of “AYAS” Nautical Research Club)
PROGRAMME
May 14
09.30 - Registration of participants
10.15 – Opening of Conference /A.Melkonyan, Fellow-correspondent of NAS RA, Doctor of Hist. Sc., Director of Institute of History NAS RA/
10.30 – Welcome Word (Sen Arevshatyan, Academician, NAS RA)
10.45 -Introductory word: The Ships of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia (Karen Balayan, President of “Ayas” Nautical Research Club)
History of Cilician Armenia
(moderator – Ashot Melkonyan)
11.00 – Azat Bozoyan / Doctor of Hist. Sc., Institute of Oriental Studies, NAS RA/
History of Cilician Armenia in Documents
11.20 – Vahe Torosyan /Institute of History, NAS RA /
Relations of Spiritual and Secular Authorities of Great Armenia and Cilician Armenia in the Reign of Levon II
11.40 – Ruben Galichian /London, England/
Armenia and Cilician Armenia in Old Maps and Portolans.
12.00 - Ruben Safrastyan / Doctor of Hist. Sc., Director of Institute of Oriental Studies, NAS RA/
Armenian Genocide in Cilicia: Geopolithical Aspect.
12.20 - coffee-break
Civilizational Interelations
(moderator – Ruben Safrastyan)
13.00 – Eduard Danielyan /Doctor of Hist. Sc., Institute of History, NAS RA/
Armenian Civilizational Contribution to Ancient and Medieval Economic and Geopolitical Developments.
13.20 – Zohrab Gevorgyan / Institute of History, NAS RA /
Cilician Armenia in the International Trade Shipping System in XIII-XIV cc.
13.40 -Gevorg Stepanyan /Doctor of Hist, Sc., Institute of History, NAS RA /
From the History of the Armenian Fleet in the Caspian Sea.
14.00 - Lunch-time
15.00 - Lilya Avanesyan / State Museum of the History of Armenia/
The Geography of Trade Routes of Jugha Armenians
15.20 – Gagik Poghosyan (Khakhbakyan) / Institute of Political Research of RA President’s Administration/
Jugha Armenians Heritage in South-Eastern Asia
15.40 - Dmitry Martirosyan /PhD in Tech. Sc./
A Forgotten Factor of European policy of XVI-XVII c.c.: the Cossaks (and their Sea Glory)
History of Navigation
(moderator – Eduard Danielyan)
16.00 - Armen Davtyan
Evidences About Ships in Sumerian Cuneiform Inscriptions
16.20 – Alina Salnazaryan
Armenian Navigation in India
16.40 – Discussion
May 15
10.00 – Karen Balayan / “AYAS” Nautical Reseach Club/
Expedition by the steps of Armenian ship ” Quedagh Merchant ” by “Ayas” Nautical Research Club Jointly with “Anahit” Association
10.20 – Victor Gubarev /PhD in Hist. Sc. –Donetsk National Technical University/
The Destiny of the Ship of Captain Kidd ” Quedagh Merchant” and Its Cargo
10.40 – Vachagan Khachatryan /PhD in Tech. Sc./, Hrachia Mkhitaryan
Contacts and Communication in the International Crew, or Work with Interpersonal Relations.
(a presentation)
10.55 – Vahan Sargsyan /PhD in Ling.Sc., Yerevan State University /
The Armenian Islands /according to the Hispanic priest Andres Agire’s letters/
11.15 - O.Zolotarev/Tula, Russia/, V.Kobets /Kiev, Ukraine/
Underwater Archaeological Reconnaissances of the Place of the XVIII century Russian battleship “Saint Alexander”’ Wreck abeam the Tarkhankut lighthouse in 2005-2009.
11.35 – Marina Uvarova /PhD in Tech. Sc., S-Petersburg, Russia /
Mher Parvanyan /Yerevan/
Stress as a Risk Factor for the Member of the Crew
(a presentation)
11.50 – Hayarpi Aghakhanyan/”Gitelik” University, Eghegnadzor/
Armenian Merchants and Modern Sea Law
(a presentation)
12.00 - coffee-break
Culture and Traditions
(moderator – Vahan Sargsyan)
13.00 – Hakob Simonayan / PhD in Hist. Sc., Director of the Cultural-Historic Heritage Centre of the Ministery of Culture of RA/
An Attempt to a Semantic Variant Reading of the Word “NAV” on the Basis of Archaeo-Linguistic and Archaeological Analysis.
13.20 – Karen Tokhatyan /Institute of History NAS RA /
Rock Art of Great Armenia.
13.40 – Gohar Vardumyan /Phd in Hist.Sc, Institute of History NAS RA /
Cult of Water among Armenians.
14.00 – Lunch-time
15.00 – Grigor Brutyan /House-Museum of V. Ambartsumyan/
Vishap and Water in Armenian Fairy Tales and Epic
15.20 – Ashot Haykazun/Doctor of Archit., Prof., National Museum-Institute of Architecture/
Compositional Construction of Noah’s Ark, and the Quadrilateral and Triplex System of the World.
15.40 – Artak Movsisyan (PhD of Hist. Sc., Institute of Oriental Studies NAS RA)
One of the Legends of the Saving Ark, and the Earliest Mentionings of the name of Mt. Masis
16.00 – Discussion
May 16
10.00 – V. Vahradyan /Phd in Mat. Sc../, M. Vahradyan, /”Vaspurakan. New Generation”/
The First Inhabitants of the Isle of Britain came from Armenia.
10.20 – Ruben Vardanyan /Phd in History, Armenian History State Museum/
Coins of Levon I: New Researches
11.00 – Armine Zohrabyan /Phd of Hist. Sc., The State Museum of History of Armenian
Merchant in Ancient World
(a presentation)
11.20 – Arman Shahnurabyan
Methods of Inverstigation of the Polluted Reservoirs of Armenia Proposed by the “Ayas” Club.
(a presentation)
11.35 – Discussion
Closing of the Conference
13.00 – Cultural program
