Delaware Artificial Reefs

Delaware Artificial Reefs (and a few New Jersey reefs)

Coverage of Delaware is restricted to just those sites that are in the ocean and vessels in the bay. Siting reefs has been tricky for Delaware, as they must be kept clear of the shipping lanes. This doesn't leave a lot of places that are both located in usefully deep water and a convenient distance from shore. Cape May Reef belongs to New Jersey, but is within range of Delaware, and lately seems to have received material from Delaware. I have also included the USS Blenny, to the south - drag the chart.

Delaware Artificial Reef Charts

The 5 Delaware reefs shown here total approximately 7.2 square miles.

Twin Capes
Shearwater
Shearwater
USS Radford
USS Radford
Gregory Poole
YO-93
USCG Tamaroa
two tugboats
two tugboats
Frieda Marie
American Glory
American Glory

Delaware Artificial Reef Sites

Delaware has eight permitted reefs in the Delaware Bay, and another way offshore that is undeveloped and will likely stay that way.

Site #8 has a 70' tugboat "Golden Eagle". Site #6 has a 120' barge. Site #1 has a 40' pilot boat. Other than that, the Delaware Bay reefs are all concrete rubble.


DelJerseyLand Inshore Artificial Reef

26 Nautical Miles from Indian River Inlet, 1.51 sq miles
Depth: 120-140 ft [download]


Delaware #9 Artificial Reef

4.5 Nautical Miles from Indian River Inlet, 1.31 sq miles
Depth: 50-60 ft


Delaware #11 Artificial Reef

15.5 Nautical Miles from Indian River Inlet, 1.52 sq miles
Depth: 70-90 ft



Delaware Artificial Reef #11
Fells Point leads the string, Cittie Point in the middle, and William C Snow brings up the rear
Type:
artificial reef, tugboat
Built:
1962, Southern Materials Co, Norfolk VA USA
Specs:
( 50 ft )
Sunk:
Monday June 2, 2008 - Delaware #11 Artificial Reef
GPS:
38°40.540' -74°43.957'

Shipwreck USS Blenny
The Blenny as she appeared during World War II.
Type:
shipwreck, Balao ( modified Gato ) class submarine, U.S. Navy
Built:
1944, Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT USA
Specs:
( 312 x 27 ft ) 1810 tons, no crew
Sunk:
Wednesday June 7, 1989
"Africa Queen" artificial reef, Maryland
Depth:
70 ft

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