Shipwrecks - Time Capsules of Human Civilization

New Jersey Shipwrecks - Observations from the Boardwalk!

It was a beautiful spring day yesterday in New Jersey and I decided to take a "road-trip" to the Jersey Shore. Reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen's many odes to the shore, I spent the afternoon a few miles south of Asbury Park on the shorelines of where the Atlantic Ocean interface with Shark River. A quick lunch at venerable shore restaurant/pub named Kelly's (where the monstrous Reuben sandwich reigns supreme),  a walk up the boardwalk from Belmar to the inlet provided an opportunity to see many people also enjoying the wonderful weather along the shore. There were surfers catching some big breakers in the surf, while 25 yards beyond the rolling surf, hundreds of sea gulls were bobbing in a relatively calm ocean. About twenty miles out, two freighters were crossing each other - making sure that there was plenty of passage space between each of these behemoths. Several people were walking the beach and looking for shells , while a few others were playing volleyball. Weaving through the power-walkers and runners, I had a chance to stroll out to the end of the Shark River jetty where fisherman were trying their best to catch a nice early-Spring fish dinner. Looking from the jetty, I saw the famed Asbury Park Convention Center, where about 70 years ago the liner Morro Castle burned off the coast and nearly impaled the center. There are so many wonderful, historic shipwrecks within 15 miles from the jetty. There is the stern of the Stolt Dagali, a freighter that was sheared in two by the Israeli ocean liner Shalom. A smaller freighter named the Pinta is nearby, sunk upside down with its cargo of wood logs still on board ( tons of lobsters like to hang out in the nooks of the logs). Other older wrecks from the mid-nineteenth century include the Brunette, a ship carrying everyday supplies and the Cadet. Both of these beautiful shipwrecks are in very shallow waters and when the visibility is good offer divers a wonderful opportunity to visit old wooden shipwrecks. One might even be able to find a small piece of their cargo. The New Jersey shore is a magical place and its shipwrecks are some of the best in the world to dive.

Titanic - There is nothing like it!

We will be running a series of special weblogs to commemorate the 93rd anniversary of the sinking of RMS Titanic from April 10th (Launch from Southampton) to April 15th (Titanic sank).  This series will include little known facts and anecdotes about the ship, officers, crew and passengers. I will be going back to Titanic this summer to further my studies on microbial decay and to take additional digital video to enhance our production of the film Titanic - The Ultimate Shipwreck.

Andrea Doria - New Book Packed with Plenty of Pictures

My good friend, author William H. Miller, has just published a beautiful "coffee table" book on the Andrea Doria entitled "Picture History of the Andrea Doria".  Bill is the quintessential historian on ocean liners and has published more than 60 books on the topic. In his latest book, Bill provides many new and unique photographs of the Andrea Doria that has been dubbed "a floating art museum".  Because Nautical Research Group, Inc. has the largest collection of Andrea Doria items in the world, Bill has invited me to present at several ocean liner meetings - the most recent was last December at the South Street Seaport where we premiered our new Andrea Doria digital presentation "Andrea Doria - Dive to Adventure and Danger". Pick up a copy of Bill's wonderful book at any Borders, Barnes and Noble or Amazon bookstore sites. For information regarding Nautical Research Group's blockbuster digital video presentation of the Andrea Doria, contact their corporation at [email protected] .

United States - Sad Times for a Once-Proud Ocean Liner

Over the weekend, while driving down to Philadelphia's airport on Interstate 95, I saw the beautiful red-white-blue funnels and exquisite lines of one of the most elegant ocean liners of all-time named the United States. Unfortunately, she is just a shell of her former self and is rotting away at her dock near the Philadelphia Naval Yard. All plans to do something with this great liner have fallen through and it looks like she may not be around much longer. This amazing ship was once the pride of the American fleet in the 1950-1960's and still holds the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing of 3 days and 10 hours (35.59 knots average speed). Emblematic of this honor, she is the holder of the Blue Riband and awarded the Hales Trophy. This beautiful trophy resides at the United States Merchant Marine Academy's Museum at King's Point, Long Island, NY and the curator of the museum is the famous ship historian and writer, Frank Braynard. I would love to see this beautiful, historic vessel be refit and returned to active service; plying the Atlantic. Unfortunately, it appears that the fate of the United States is the scrap yard, where many a great liner's fate has been determined. From my perspective, if she can't be saved to return to service, then she should be towed out to sea and scuttled as part of New Jersey's artificial reef program. In that manner, many divers and fishermen can enjoy this once-proud vessel again; albeit quite different from its original purpose. I would rather have this ship become a new home to our thriving marine life along the Jersey shore than suffer the indignation of the scrap heap. What are your thoughts?

Noah's Ark - Well sort of....

For this Holy Weekend, I thought that I would submit a weblog with an appropriate biblical theme. Last month, I had an opportunity to give a presentation at Columbia University's Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory and met a fascinating scientist named Dr. William Ryan. Dr. Ryan is a geologist and co-author of a thought-provoking book named Noah's Flood: The New Scientific Discoveries with fellow scientist Walter Pitman. Ryan and Pitman provide evidence in their book that about 5600 BC, rising water in the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea burst through the Bosporus valley and poured into the Black Sea basin, raising the water level there about 350 feet to its present level. In 2001, explorer Robert Ballard found wood and other items at around 350 feet in the Black Sea that seem to corroborate Ryan and Pitman's theory. Accordingly, this theory has been seen as giving proof to the legitimacy of the Noah's Ark story. I have always referred to Titanic as the Ultimate Shipwreck; however I am at a loss as to what I could call Noah's Ark. Maybe I should call Noah's Ark the Ultimate Shipwreck and the Titanic as the Penultimate Shipwreck? Please let me know what you think about the great flood story and Noah's Ark?

Inaugural Posting

This is our first posting to the new weblog. This weblog will be totally devoted to discussions regarding shipwrecks and nautical archaeology.  The focus on shipwrecks will be very diverse and can range from the initial boats that plied the Mediterranean to the most recent ocean liners that sank in the 20th Century. We will provide ample space to discuss shipwrecks that were military; as well as those that were used commercially. Please look over this new site and provide spirited, but positive, comments. Obviously, we love debate and can appreciate a vibrant discussion; however, all spam, vulgarities and personal attacks will not be allowed (hey-this is a fun site that is used to distribute wonderful historical information). Many thanks for your interest in making this site the number one place for shipwreck information and discussion!