Historic Expeditions | Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

school of fish in background

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Historic Expeditions

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. 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
Richard Thomey, Robert Dooley, and Robert Woods (with camera) just before their first dive at the Flower Garden Banks in 1960. Image: Robert Woods	Robert Woods entering the water for his first dive at the Flower Garden Banks in 1960. Image: Robert Woods
Dr. Tom Pulley posing with some of the corals and sponges collected at the Flower Garden Banks in 1960. Image: Robert Woods	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
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1967 Expedition
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 above the reef at the Flower Garden Banks in 1967. Image: World Book Science Series
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. Image: World Book Science Series
A large grouper seen at the Flower Garden Banks in 1967. Image: World Book Science Series	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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Juvenile blue tang (fish). Bright yellow body with irridescent blue marking around eye and at top edge of dorsal fin.