Vega ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Vega

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Shipwreck Vega — Circa 1950, enroute to Staten Island

Type:: shipwreck, ferry, USA
Built:: 1925 - Staten Island NY USA
Specs:: ( 75 x 40 ft ) 84 tons
Sunk:: Wednesday January 11, 1961
capsized under tow in storm, no casualties
GPS:: 40°11.646' -73°56.787' (AWOIS 1990)
Depth:: 55 ft

The Vega was a small diesel-electric automobile ferry that operated for the Port Richmond - Bayonne ferry service. She had a capacity of 10 cars and 50 passengers. After her last run in December of 1960, she was sold along with her two sisters, Altair and Deneb, to a firm in Jacksonville, Florida. While all three were under tow to their new owner, Vega's cable parted in heavy seas and she capsized. Altair and Deneb did not sink and were returned to Staten Island that day. The Vega's steel hull came to rest upside-down and is seldom visited today. Also known as "The Upside-down Ferry."

from AWOIS: 1514

FE333SS/89--OPR-C147-HE-89; CONTACT NO. 26; 50M RANGE SCALE SIDE-SCAN SONAR CONDUCTED OVER POSITION PROVIDED BY WHITING ON H10290/88; DIVERS LOCATED A RUSTED BUT INTACT CAPSIZED AUTOMOBILE AND PASSENGER FERRY MEASURING APPROXIMATELY 80 FT. LONG AND 40 FT. WIDE; LOCAL DIVERS IDENTIFIED AS THE VEGA; WRECK ROSE APPROXIMATELY 15 FT. OFF A SANDY BOTTOM; LEAST DEPTH OF 55 FT. BY LEADLINE. (UPDATED MSM 5/90)

Historical details courtesy of Jeff Cavorley

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