Aft on the poopdeck.  Walking about, There is the second mate, So sturdy and so stout, What he is thinking of, He only knows himself, Oh, we wish that he would hurry up,  And strike, strike the bell, Strike the bell, second mate, Let us go below, Look away to windward, You can see it's going to blow, Look at the glass, You can see that it is fell, We wish the you would hurry up, And strike, strike the bell, Down on the maindeck, Working at the pumps, There is the larboard watch,  Ready for their bunks, Over to windward, They see a great swell, They're wishing that the second mate, Would strike, strike the bell.-Old Sea Shanty

Donny L. Hamilton, Ph.D.

    Donny Hamilton is  native of Texas.  In 1967, at Texas Tech University, he received a Bachelor's of Arts in Anthropology . Later in 1975, Hamilton received his Doctorate in Anthropology at the University of Texas. Since 1978 he has been a faculty member of the Nautical Archeology Program at Texas A&M University. He specializes in underwater archeology, North American prehistoric and historic archeology, and artifact conservation and restoration. 

    Donny Hamilton pioneered many of the new techniques used today by Archeologists who implement his procedures to help in the conservation and restoration process. His work in the field has not only given the world a greater understanding of the artifacts which he excavates but have also won him international acclaim. Donny Hamilton's list of projects includes the excavation of the infamous Port Royal, the excavation of a shipwreck of the Spanish Fleet from 1554, and his most recent project, the conservation and restoration of the French explorer, La Salle's,  Belle.  Presently Dr. Hamilton teaches courses in historical archeology and artifact conservation at Texas A&M University.