New Jersey Scuba Diving

Type:

shipwreck, steamer

Depth:

85 ft

The "Ranger" is the wreck of a small nineteenth-century steamer. The entire small wreck is perhaps 100 ft in length, from the low remains of the copper-sheathed wooden bow to the broken propeller. The boiler and engine are remarkably large for such a small wreck, but the absence of towing bits, or indeed any kind of heavy machinery, makes it unlikely that this was a tugboat. An enormous low-pressure boiler feeding a rather primitive single-expansion engine places the building of the Ranger in the same period as the very similar Brunette, 1850-1870.

This is a very picturesque wreck and makes a nice photo subject on a good day ( it is also known as the "Photographer". ) the engine is a very interesting piece, and is covered with anemones and other sea life. This wreck also produces fine mussels from the higher parts. There is usually a lobster around somewhere as well.

Drawing courtesy of Aaron Hirsh