"Redemption" schooner barge
This is a large schooner barge we found in July of 05.
It was named after a disappointing day of trying out new numbers out in
Stellwagen - this was the last effort of the day on the way back in, and
turned out to be something worth diving.
This schooner barge is largely broken up, but
definitely identifiable for what it was. It's only in 120 FSW, so is
good for a winter dive when the deeper wrecks are unavailable. It's
been filled in with debris to a large extent, but has 10 - 15 feet of
profile in some spots. It was probably 200 ft. in length judging by
the beam. Both ends have been broken up, but Jack noticed the pintels
and gudgeons still in place on the stern and on the displaced rudder.
Some coal mixed in with the debris hints that it was probably another coal
hauler, but the small volume indicates it probably wasn't loaded at the time
of the sinking.
I spotted a few block and tackle remains here and
there, but nothing indicating a sailing rig and very little brass as
expected. There was a LOT of life on the wreck. Looking down
through the timbers Howie and I spotted some very large cod, and at the
stern a section of pipe about 18 inches in diameter was home for the largest
wolffish I've ever seen. The head of this thing took up most of the inside
diameter of the pipe, and appeared a beautiful light blue color in my HID
light beam. I made sure I showed the fish to Joe Augusto as well to
back me up on the size and then kept my distance from the teeth.
We'll be back to this wreck again - it's definitely
worth another dive.
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