Visualization by means of photography, graphics, and photogrammetry

Traditionally, the documentation of the details of a preserved shipwreck is made by thoroughgoing photography and drawings. Both methods require specialised research divers and considerable preparations for a base ship. Without these, a measuring system at the surroundings of a wreck site cannot be installed. Especially a scaled graphical documentation under difficult circumstances needs specialised staff and causes considerable expenses. Up to now that was the only way to get reliable information since photographs give only an impression of the condition of the site but not about the proportions. In photographs, there are always perspective distortions and thus photos cannot be used when the aim is to have an exact reconstruction of a wreck. In the MoSS Project, visualization by photographs and graphics will take place at the Vrouw Maria, the Burgzand Noord 10 and the Darsser Kogge.

The use of photogrammetry promises a more reasonable documentation and visualization of wrecks. This method was developed in the 1980's. A set of overlapping photographs are put together to a mosaic that in turn is used as the basis for an optical measurement of each of the features. In order to get a computer supported rectification of the photographs, each photo must have at least six visible points of reference. Next, the visible structures on each picture are digitalised. This creates the basis for a scaled representation of the complete feature and a starting point for a reconstruction of a ship. In the MoSS Project, photogrammetry is used to visualize and illustrate the wreck of the Darsser Kogge.