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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Cranford reef
In life, July 1939. At this time, CRRNJ ferries were painted overall dark green. Notice how it says MEN on one side and WOMEN on the other.
Type:
artificial reef, ferry, Central Railroad of New Jersey, USA
( sometimes incorrectly identified as a barge )
Name:
All CRRNJ ferries were named for New Jersey towns - Lakewood, Bound Brook, Red Bank, Plainfield, Elizabeth, Wilkes Barre, Cranford, Somerville, Westfield, and Bound Brook
Built:
1905, Wilmington DE USA
Specs:
( 191 x 44 ft ) 1197 tons
Sponsor:
Ashley Development Corporation
Sunk:
Tuesday March 30, 1982 - Sea Girt Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°07.447' -73°56.227'
Depth:
70 ft

Printed from njscuba.net