In Greek mythology, Persephone, the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Demeter, was abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld. Eventually, an agreement was reached wherein Persephone would spend part of the year with Hades in the underworld, and the rest with her parents in Olympus, resulting in the seasons: when she is away, her grieving mother, the earth goddess, ignores her duties and the earth becomes barren - winter.
Built:
1926, Germany
Specs:
( 468 x 63 ft ) 8426 gross tons, 37 crew
Sunk:
Monday May 25, 1942
torpedoed by U-593 - 9 casualties
The "Sachem" wreck is typical of the remains of many unknown wooden sailing ships that are found off the coast. Three parallel sets of ribs and scattered decking between provide good habitat for lobster. The wreck sits in 60' of water on a clean sandy bottom and visibility is usually good on this site. Fairly large and scattered, it also provides a good opportunity for the spearfisherman.
A large wooden sailing ship, more intact than most. The hull is almost complete, 8-10 feet high, with a Navy-style stockless anchor in one side of the bow, and bowsprit lying in the sand below. The bowsprit indicates that this was a true sailing ship and not a schooner barge. I saw no sign of towing bits, bow, or stern. The stern is broken down.
A very large intact steel deck barge, lying upright, north-south. The southern end is partially collapsed and opened up, allowing easy access to at least part of the inside. Rust holes in the deck let light in throughout the rest of the interior, although they are too small to fit through. A great spearfishing site, and not bad for lobsters. The crane lies about 1/4 mile away.
The U-151 was the first German U-boat to operate in U.S. territory in World War I. The U-151 is not actually sunk in these waters ( it was sunk deep off Virginia after the war, ) but it did "contribute" the following six shipwrecks, all on the same day, Sunday, June 2, 1918:
