Shipwrecks
Anchors
Not all artifacts are easily recoverable. Ship's anchors often weigh in the hundreds or thousands of pounds and require a well-planned expedition to bring back to shore. At right is an assortment of anchors, from the old-fashioned "Fisherman's" anchor of the 1800s to the modern stockless or "naval" anchor, and its small cousin, the Danforth anchor.
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Steam Engines
Steam engines are a common sight on New Jersey shipwrecks. Usually the highest point of relief on the entire wreck, the engine makes a good orientation point and is often used as a tie-in as well. Old steam engines were quite sturdily constructed, and last a long time in the ocean, although because of their value they were salvaged when possible.
Right: The single-expansion steam engine of the Delaware, viewed over the top of one of the four boilers.
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The paddlewheel predates even the steam engine. Horse-driven paddlewheel ferries have been in use for hundreds of years. Compared to screw-type propellers, the design and construction of a paddlewheel is much simpler, and therefore they remained the dominant method of propulsion through the mid-1800s, with some examples remaining in use until after World War II.
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More: Bits & Cleats ...
Possibly the most preposterous artifact that has ever been recovered is one of the masts from the Lightship Relief. Over 50 ft long and weighing some 6000 pounds, the mast was recovered by divers in 1976 and set up in front of a dive shop in Laurence Harbor. ( It was called "Diver's Cove". )
The dive shop has long since closed, and the huge mast now lies off to the side, a rusting eyesore. The present owner of the property claims it is a registered historic landmark. Apparently not so - as of March 2008 it was hauled away as garbage. Better that it had just been left in the sea, but this is the fate of many divers' "artifacts."
More: Masts ...
