Malta

Shipwreck Malta
As Queen of the South, with a steam engine
Type:
iron-hulled steamer, converted to sail
Built:
1852
Specs:
( 244 x 40 ft ) 1600 displacement tons, 24 crew
Sunk:
Saturday November 24, 1885
ran aground in bad weather - 1 casualty
Depth:
20 ft
Shipwreck Malta
The whole aft part of the ship was demolished by the waves,
leaving just the stern post ( see below. )

The remains of the Malta are low scattered debris, 100 yards offshore in Belmar. Given the amount of beach replenishment that has taken place and the fact that the remains of this wreck are pretty small, I would not expect to find much.

Shipwreck Malta stern post

The sternpost of the Malta juts from the surf at low tide off 9th Avenue. There is more small wreckage below, but hardly worth a dive. Note surfer for scale.

Shipwreck Malta mast
Probably the largest remaining piece of the Malta is her iron foremast, planted in the sidewalk near the 7-11 at 8th Avenue. Hidden in plain sight. The old mast is actually a standpipe for the sewage system!

* I hope it is buried, the government sure spends enough of our taxes on this!

Tides

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Railroad Bridge
Viewed from the northwest, prior to reconstruction, winter, high tide. 7-11 store at upper right.
Type:
inland tidal river
Depth:
20 ft, mostly a lot shallower

This spot is upstream on the Manasquan River. The diving area is rather small and not very deep. Visibility tends to be poor, and this is worsened whenever an O/W training class is in session, which is often. Also, the current under the bridge becomes very strong, so slack water is essential. For a long time, a dredge barge has been anchored in the channel, but otherwise, there is no boat traffic.

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