- Type:
- shipwreck, barge
- Sunk:
- March 2004
foundered under tow
- Depth:
- 60 ft
This medium-sized crane barge sank under tow in March 2004. The barge is upside-down, but propped up at a 30-degree angle by the crane, rising 30 feet off the bottom at the highest point. The crane is a large rotating affair that is permanently mounted on the barge. It is not the crumpled arm of the crane that supports the hull, but the central cab, so the wreck is stable, and it is safe to explore the cavernous dark space below. The bottom is coarse sand and pea gravel. Eventually, the wreck will crush flat, but that will probably take several years, and until then this is a fun and interesting site. Big eels, Sea Bass, and even one or two lobsters can be found here.
More: crane barge ...
Robert Bowles:
January 4, 2025 at 1:28 AM
The Beach Haven was part of the Smith Oil Company fleet along with the vessels Brigantine, Sea Girt, Absecon, Cape May, Delaware, and a number of other vessels. They fished from New Jersey down to Beaufort, NC, and also in the Gulf of Mexico off of Texas and Louisiana. Robert Bowles was captain of the Beach Haven, Charles Bowles was captain of the Brigantine, and Russel Bowles was captain of the Absecon. They were brothers from Reedville, VA
Robert Bowles:
January 4, 2025 at 1:11 AM
My father, William Robert Bowles was captain of the Beach Haven when she was a Menhaden fishing vessel and owned by Smith Oil Company. They moved the Pilot House from the bow that was over the galley and crew sleeping quarters to the stern over the engine room for her conversion to a clam boat. I believe Dad was awarded “Top Boat” in 1959 and 1960.