12.2 Nautical Miles off Atlantic City
|
|
The empty areas in the north and center of this reef contain a number of Army tanks. ( not shown ) The Atlantic City Reef is one of the oldest artificial reef sites in New Jersey. Reef-building activities at this site date back to 1935.
The
A.C. Wescoat barge, with Atlantic City in the background and clam cages on the deck.
This partially intact wood hull from the 1800s is probably the oldest vessel sunk in the New Jersey Reef Program, and one of the only wooden ones as well. It has been described as a "Civil War stone barge" that was later adapted to fishing and clam dredging. The construction was massive - a double course of 2" oak planks on the hull, with 8"x16" deck beams. For reefing, the deck was covered with a layer of concrete ballast. Despite all this, within a year the vessel broke up completely on the bottom. This and other experiences with wooden vessels eventually led the Reef Program to proscribe wood as a reef material.
The American was the last Grand Banks fishing schooner to operate out of Gloucester MA. The wooden vessel carried 14 dories, from which fishermen jigged cod on the Georges and Grand Banks. In 1965 she was retired to Cape May Harbor where it spent 20 years as a floating cocktail lounge. After sinking, the wooden masts came loose and floated to the surface, and had to b retrieved. As a result of this, vessels like this are no longer used as reefs.
Today little remains, her wooden ribbing rises from the sandy bottom, planking and scattered wreckage, are spread around the site, mostly buried in the sand. There is one section that provides 15-20 ft of relief, covered in anemones and hydroids. Some lobster, and cunner. Visibility is standard for the area, ranging from 20 - 40 ft.
Beach Haven aground in Barnegat Inlet March 23 1983.
The vessel took a pounding before it was freed.
intact, engine & masts removed
Side-scan sonar - intact, but upsidedown
Historic photo courtesy of McAllister Towing.
This former Navy YO ( Yard Oiler ) was built in 1944 at by Ira S. Bushey company in Brooklyn New York. She later served commercially for K-Sea and Eklof companies. Too bad these pretty colors are all overgrown with anemones now.
Notice the large concrete block on the bow in the first shot, and not in the second.
Anchors this big are expensive ! It is probably an old buoy mooring.
Jet Trader is a twin to Sam Berman and "Helis".
no photo available
"two wooden pieces left"
The vessel was sunk by a Navy demolitions team from Earle Naval Weapons Station
The Morania Abaco sits upright on a sandy bottom looming of the sea floor, looking like the classic "made for TV" shipwreck. Penetration is easy. Two levels of her pilot house were removed before sinking, as was her engine. Fish abound, and lobster can be found in her lower compartments. Visibility is typical for the area, ranging from 20 to 50 ft. When water is clearer in August and September, she's a good photography wreck.
Historic photo courtesy of McAllister Towing
intact, engine & superstructure removed
The canal tug Troy sank in Absecon Inlet in 1979. It was eventually raised,
but never repaired, hence the decrepit appearance.
"two wooden pieces left"
The Carol Moran was destroyed by a fire in the late 1980s.
Under tow to the reef site
model
I make no claim as to the accuracy, validity, or appropriateness of any information found in this website. I will not be responsible for the consequences of any action that is based upon information found here. Scuba diving is an adventure sport, and as always, you alone are responsible for your own safety and well being.
Copyright © 1996-2008 Rich Galiano
unless otherwise noted
