Wayback Machine

While I was looking for something else, I stumbled across this old photo:

This is what it looks like when you sand through multiple layers of paint - psychedelic. I'm pretty sure the rail in the foreground belongs to the Seeker.

Wood boats like this are all but extinct. Every Spring they had to be hauled out, sanded down, and repainted, as well as a lot of other maintenance. That was how the crew earned their spot, in addition to everything they did during the season. Plastic boats just need a bit of rubbing.

The Coast Guard had it in for wood-hulled charter boats, and it became harder and harder to pass annual inspection. I expect by now there are none left, which is a shame - nothing rides as smooth and quiet as a heavy old wood hull.


Shipwreck Rusland
The Rusland, aground, with onlookers.
Type:
Adonis - shipwreck, wood-hulled bark
Rusland - shipwreck, iron-hulled steamer, England
Built:
Adonis - 1853, Germany
Rusland - 1872, Scotland, as Kenilworth
Specs:
Adonis - 550 tons, 12 crew
Rusland - ( 345 x 37 ft ) 2538 gross tons, ~200 passengers & crew
Depth:
25 ft
Sunk:
Adonis - Tuesday March 8, 1859 - ran aground in bad weather, no casualties
Rusland - Saturday March 17, 1877 - ran aground in bad weather, no casualties

Printed from njscuba.net