Margaret ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Margaret

Type:: artificial reef, tugboat
Built:: 1915, Bethlehem Staten Island, Staten Island NY, as Charles P. Crawford
Specs:: ( 97 x 24 ft ) 171 gross tons
Sunk:: Thursday June 28, 2007 - Delaware #11 Artificial Reef
GPS:: 38°40.540' -74°43.957'

The 92-year-old tugboat Margaret was built by Staten Island Shipbuilding Co. for the Erie Railroad. Originally powered by a double-compound steam engine, the vessel is 97 feet long and 24 wide, weighed 171 gross tons. The Margaret was sunk in memory of Edward Hahn of Centreville, Md., an avid fisherman, and his family and friends funded the preparation of the vessel for sinking off the Delaware coast.

Built in 1915, By the Staten Island Shipbuilding Company of Port Richmond Staten Island, New York as Charles P. Crawford for Erie Railroad Company of Jersey City, New Jersey. On May 8th, 1917 the tug was commissioned by the United States Navy as the SP-366 for minesweeping and towing. She was outfitted with two one-pound guns.

On August 12th, 1919 the tug was sold and renamed Akron. She was then acquired by C.G. Willis and renamed Carteret. The tug was eventually acquired by Tucker Transportation of Camden, New Jersey, for the Oliver Transportation work, and renamed Margaret after the Express Marine Incorporated family matriarch. She was later acquired by Moorhead City Towing of Moorehead City, North Carolina.

Powered by the double compound steam engine, rated 700 horsepower, with 155psi scotch boiler. Later repowered with a single EMD diesel rated at 1,200 horsepower. (Wayne Huebschman)

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Delaware #11 Artificial Reef

Depth: 70-90 ft

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Sharks - Offshore

Here is an assortment of large sharks that can be found in New Jersey waters, by no means all of them. These are more likely to be found offshore in oceanic waters. Sharks are seldom a danger to divers, they seem to be put off by the noise and bubbles. Nonetheless, all should be treated with caution.

Realistically, sharks in our waters are not a great concern. In over 350 northeast ocean dives, I have seen sharks on only several occasions ( not counting harmless little Dogfishes ) and only once while in the water. That one was in the Mud Hole, on the Arundo, to be precise. It was a Blue, or possibly a Mako, and wanted nothing to do with me, which was a relief since I had half an hour of deco left to do at the time! That would have left me very bent otherwise.

Note the difference between the toothless Basking Shark at left
and the very not toothless Great White Shark at right.

Note the difference between the toothless Basking Shark at left
and the very not toothless Great White Shark at right.

If you think about it, humans must taste terrible to sharks, and scuba divers especially - with rubber suits and big metal tanks. Many shark attacks occur in murky water where the shark is not sure what it is attacking. Some attacks have been the result of the shark being stepped on in shallow water. Most shark attacks on humans are abortive, the shark taking only one exploratory bite, then realizing its mistake and breaking off the attack. Unfortunately, with a large shark, one bite and you're dead. Many predators, from bears to tigers, will prey on humans when sickness, injury, or old age make them unable to catch their normal prey. Sharks are probably no different.

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