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, Inc., 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

Under tow to the reef, with crushed wheelhouse and no masts
Type:
artificial reef, clam dredge
Built:
1983 - James K Walker Marine, Moss Point MS USA
Specs:
( 112x24 ft ) 188 gross tons
Sunk:
Wednesday March 8, 2000 - Moriches Artificial Reef
Depth:
75 ft
GPS:
40°43.505' -72°46.386'

Shipwreck Ellie B
Type:
shipwreck, clam dredge, USA
Specs:
( 68 ft ) 3 crew
Sunk:
January 17, 1999; ran up on jetty
no casualties
Depth:
15 ft
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FE330SS/89 -- OPR-C147-HE-89; CONTACT #24 FROM SURVEY H-10284/88; SIDE-SCAN SONAR AND DIVER INVESTIGATION FOUND THE BADLY DETERIORATED WRECKAGE OF A WOODEN SHIP; A LARGE METAL MOORING OR TOWING BIT WAS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE; LEADLINE LEAST DEPTH OF 41 FT TAKEN ON WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE RIBS OF THE WRECK. (ENTERED MSD 6/91)

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