July 4, 2022
Two More Artificial Reefs
July 4, 2022
After the bad news of Dutch Springs closing, here is some good news. Delaware has sunk two new reefs - the Texas Star, and the John S Dempster Jr.
Uncategorized, 07/4/22
- Type:
- artificial reef, scallop dredge
- Built:
- 1977, Halter Marine, Lockport LA USA, as Southern Prince
- Specs:
- ( 156 x 39 ft ) 269 gross tons
- Sunk:
- Wednesday, June 29, 2022 - Delaware #11 Artificial Reef
- GPS:
- 38°40.494' -74°43.868'
- Depth:
- 85 ft
The Texas Star was built in 1977 on a multi-purpose supply ship hull, probably to service offshore oil platforms. The vessel was refitted as a floating casino in 1986, originally named Millionaire’s Casino, out of Savannah Georgia, but later moved to Texas and renamed Texas Star Casino. "The 12,000 square-foot vessel featured games such as craps, blackjack, roulette, poker and slot machines, with a bingo parlor situated on the nearby dock."
More: Texas Star ...
- Type:
- artificial reef, freighter, purse seiner
- Built:
- 1944, JK Welding - Yonkers NY, as FS-355 (US Army)
- Specs:
- ( 166 x 32 ft ) 542 tons
- Sunk:
- Thursday, Jan 21, 2021 - DelJerseyLand Artificial Reef
- GPS:
- 38°31.340' -74°30.671'
- Depth:
- 125 ft
John S Dempster Jr. is sister to Shearwater and Reedville, see those vessels for details, links in the sidebar. All three vessels were originally small Army transports, converted to Menhaden fishing by Omega Protein company. FS-355 was USCG-manned, and retained by USA as PVT Carl V. Sheridan (see below) until sold in 1972.
The aging Shearwater and Reedville were retired when Omega got two new modern vessels in 2017, but Dempster was kept as a reserve. Finally, almost 80 years old, the Dempster was sent to her reward as well. Another sister, Tangier Island, was reefed off Georgia in 2020. As of 2023, one old sister remains - Smuggler's Point, FS-400, launched in 1944!
More: John S Dempster Jr. (FS-355) ...
« HELP !!! « » ShipBuildingHistory.com »
