New Jersey Scuba Diving

Type:

artificial reef, lightship, USA

Name:

Named for the harbor that it served as marker for during its long active career.

Built:

1946, Devoe Shipbuilding, Bay City MI USA

Specs:

( 128 x 30 ft ) 630 tons

Sponsor:

Atlantic County, Trump Casino, Atlantic City Seafood Festival, Artificial Reef Association, Atlantic County Party & Charter Boat Association

Sunk:

Friday January 28, 1994 - Atlantic City Artificial Reef

GPS:

39°15.444' -74°14.004'

Depth:

85 ft

Although known as the Boston Lightship, this particular vessel spent most of her career off North Carolina, New Orleans, and Cape May, where she marked a shoal in the approaches to Delaware Bay known as the Five Fathom Bank. After decommissioning in Massachusetts in 1975, the lightship was under tow back to Atlantic City for conversion to a floating museum when she was struck by a tanker, tearing a large hole in her port side ( see photos below. ) the museum conversion never materialized, probably because of the collision damage, and the ship languished until taken over by the Artificial Reef Program. She was dismasted and sunk intact with a wealth of historical artifacts ( portholes! ) many of which are very difficult to get at since the wreck lies on its side.