Sonar

There are on the market today portable underwater direction-finding units that home in on each other by sound. These provide similar functionality to a strobe light, but with ( theoretically ) longer range, and are ( theoretically ) unaffected by water conditions and visibility. They are also very expensive, and prone to failure when a large object or wall gets between the two units. A number of times I have seen people get lost because they counted on one of these gadgets, and it didn't work.

Perhaps the most disturbing thing about these devices is that their users seem to be mostly beginners who place unfounded faith in them, probably because they paid so much for it at the dive shop. They seem to hit the water in "brain-off" mode, counting on their expensive gadgets to get them home, and making little or no effort at other forms of navigation. Unfortunately, these people are probably the least able to cope with the emergency situation that arises when they find out just how reliable their little sonar toy isn't. Learn to use a wreck reel instead.


Type:
shipwreck, sailing ship
Specs:
965 tons
Sunk:
Wednesday February 17, 1943
possibly collision with barge F.F. Clain
Depth:
80 ft

The Harry Rush is described as a freighter by Krotee, not always the most reliable source. The wreck commonly known as the Harry Rush is a sailing ship. The wreck is the typical three parallel wooden walls, very low-lying, with some steam machinery and chain pile at the west end. The orientation of the wreck is unusual, as if it sank while running for the shore, rather than riding out a storm. The absence of towing bits makes it likely this was a true sailing ship rather than a schooner barge.

Printed from njscuba.net