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Historic Expeditions    Secrets of the Gulf Expedition

HISTORIC EXPEDITIONS

In 1960, Dr. Thomas Pulley, Director of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, led the first scientific expedition to the Flower Garden Banks to determine the truth behind the rumors of coral reefs in the northern Gulf of Mexico. In addition to professional researchers, the explorers included Navy divers.

Another trip in 1967 was documented by the World Book Science Service and resulted in an article that was published in March 1968.

These photos and the article were shared with us by one of the original divers, Robert Woods, who was also a photographer for the trip.

Click on a picture below to see a larger, hi-resolution image
Photo credits: As noted with each image

1960 Expedition

Divers on deck ready to dive at the Flower Garden Banks in 1960
Richard Thomey, Robert Dooley, and Robert Woods (with camera) just before their first dive at the Flower Garden Banks in 1960. Image: Robert Woods
Diver entering the water for first science dive at the Flower Garden Banks in 1960
Robert Woods entering the water for his first dive at the Flower Garden Banks in 1960.
Image: Robert Woods
Tom Pulley kneeling among corals and holding a large sponge collected from the first dives at the Flower Garden Banks in 1960
Dr. Tom Pulley posing with some of the corals and sponges collected at the Flower Garden Banks in 1960.
Image: Robert Woods
Tom Pulley talking to a Navy officer
Dr. Tom Pulley talking with the captain of the Wren, the Navy vessel used for the first research dives at the Flower Garden Banks. Image: Robert Woods

1967 Expedition

Three divers ready to jump in at the Flower Garden Banks in 1967
Robert Wood, Richard Thomey, and Robert Dooley getting ready to dive at the Flower Garden Banks in 1967. Image: World Book Science Series
Butterflyfish swimming among corals at the Flower Garden Banks in 1967
Butterflyfish swimming above the reef at the Flower Garden Banks in 1967. Image: World Book Science Series
Diver looking at corals at the Flower Garden Banks in 1967
A diver collecting coral samples from the Flower Garden Banks in 1967. Image: World Book Science Series
Fire and brain corals on the reef at the Flower Garden Banks in 1967
Fire and brain corals on the reef at the Flower Garden Banks in 1967. Image: World Book Science Series
A large group at the Flower Garden Banks in 1967 with a diver swimming in the background
A large grouper seen at the Flower Garden Banks in 1967. Image: World Book Science Series
Man holding a large oyster brought up from the reef at the Flower Garden Banks in 1967
Paul McGee holding up a large spiny oyster collected from the Flower Garden Banks in 1967. Image: World Book Science Series



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