Lost At Sea (1/9)

Book: The Sea's Bitter Harvest

In January 1999, four clam boats were lost in separate incidents in the span of less than three weeks. First, on January 6, the Beth Dee Bob sank in rough weather with all hands. Two days later, the Cape Fear sank under similar circumstances. On January 18, the Adriatic went down with all hands, one day after the Ellie B ran up on the rocks at Manasquan Inlet. In total, 10 lives were lost, sparking a major Coast Guard investigation into safety practices on commercial fishing vessels.

  • Coast Guard Report

Shipwreck Adriatic

"This picture was taken several years ago by my wife, Debbie. We were searching for the Adriatic's lost clam dredge that day. Later, after the sinking, my group of divers was the first to dive on and identify her. I used this picture at the dive site to set the dive plan and objectives."

- Capt. Duane Clause, Porthole II

Type:
shipwreck, clam dredge, USA
Built:
1977, Master Marine, Bayou La Bâtre AL USA
Specs:
( 74 ft ) 134 gross tons, 4 crew
Sunk:
Monday January 18, 1999
foundered in rough seas - no survivors
Depth:
65 ft

Shipwreck Beth Dee Bob
Type:
shipwreck, clam dredge, USA
Built:
1990, Bock Marine, Beaufort NC USA
Specs:
( 84 ft ) 96 tons, 4 crew
Sunk:
Wednesday January 6, 1999
foundered in rough seas - no survivors
Depth:
120 ft


Shipwreck Ellie B
Type:
shipwreck, clam dredge, USA
Built:
1978, Ancient City Boat Yard, St. Augustine, FL USA
Specs:
( 68 ft ) 3 crew
Sunk:
January 17, 1999; ran up on jetty
no casualties
Depth:
15 ft
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Longfin Squid

Loligo pealei

Size: to 17"

Habitat: Generally deep waters, but moves inshore in the summer. I have seen small ones at depths of 50-70 ft and babies in the rivers.

Notes:

Longfin Squid

The squid is a mollusk, related to snails and clams. These animals travel in schools, swimming backwards by jet propulsion. Small specimens are nearly transparent except for the eyes. Tropical squids can show considerable intelligence and curiosity, but northern versions are, well, just stupid. I have seen huge schools of small transparent squids offshore, just their eyes visible, like black marbles. In the rivers, I have seen small schools of purple squids, and tiny colorless babies drifting in the current. All are predatory.

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