Objects


Or "heads", as real sailors call them.

head
Here's an object that probably doesn't deserve to be recovered - the head on the Matt Turecamo.


While not exactly shipwreck artifacts, lobster traps, scallop dredges, and other fishing equipment are not uncommon sights on and around New Jersey shipwrecks.

Lobster Traps

modern wire lobster trap
A modern wire lobster trap - a common sight around shipwrecks.

plastic coke bottle

What I know about antique glass bottles wouldn't cover both sides of a matchbook. But here are some excellent links on the subject, so you too can learn the difference between a pontil and a blob:

Miscellaneous Links:

Right: Plastic Coke bottle with screw top


porthole diagram

Portholes are used to let light and air into a ship. They are usually constructed of brass for corrosion resistance, which makes them highly desirable as collector's items. The drawing at right shows all the major parts:

  • The immovable backing plate, bolted to the vessel's hull, which carries the hinges for the swing plate and deadlight
  • The glass swing plate, which is secured shut by large butterfly nuts called 'dogs'
  • The deadlight, used when it is desired to black-out the vessel, as in time of war

deadeye
deadeye

Deadeyes (above and right) and blocks (below) were used in the rigging of old-time sailing ships. In either case, the purpose was to gain mechanical advantage through the use of compound pulleys. This was especially necessary in the days before powered winches, when the only working force onboard was literally manpower.


Halibut

Hippoglossus hippoglossus
( literally: "horse tongue" )

Size:
to 8 ft and 700 lbs.
usually much smaller

Description:
The Atlantic Halibut is the largest member of the flatfish family and has a grayish eyed side and white blind side. Juveniles are found along the coast of Norway and in relatively shallow waters, while full-grown halibut usually stay in deep waters, between 300 and 2000 meters. So don't expect to see one of these enormous flounders while diving.

Printed from njscuba.net