USCSS Robert J. Walker-- Part 6: Discovery of the Wreck

A commercial fisherman found the wreck of the Walker in the 1970s, located  10 nautical miles off the coast of New Jersey in 85 feet of water.  Divers have visited the wreck on a regular bases since then.  But, it  remained unidentified until 2013 when NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) announced  that a positive identification had been made.

On June 21, 2013, the NOAA research ship NOASS  Thomas Jefferson, operating in the area to conduct hydrographic surveys for navigation after Hurricane Sandy, held a wreath -tossing ceremony in the general area of the wreck of the Robert J. Walker to honor its dead on the 153rd anniversary of its sinking.  It was the first commemorative ceremony ever held for them.

The Jefferson then collected survey data using multibeam sonar and sidescan sonar later on that day that established with 80% certainty the identity and location of the wreck.

A NOAA dive team, also in the area for post-Hurricane Sandy operations,  confirmed the wreck's identity on 23 June 2013.  The NOAA used  several key clues to confirm  the identity of the ship, including the size and layout of the iron hull, unique engines, and rectangular portholes.

The NOAA has no plans to raise the wreck, make it a sanctuary, or limit diving on it, but does plan to work with the New Jersey diving community to increase understanding of the wreck.

--Old B-Runner

The Wreck of the USS Weehawken

From Facebook  "United States Ironclads Wrecked Off Charleston, S.C.  (Keokuk, Weehawken and Patapsco)"  July 10, 2010.  E. Lee Spence.

He and Jim Batey made dives on these three wrecks in the 1960s and early 1970s.

The USS Weehawken cost $465,110.73.

The wreck is shown on the 1865 chart drawn by E. Willenbucher for the annual report of the Secretary of the Navy and is listed in Adrian Lonsdale's "Guide to Sunken Ships in American Waters."

About 130 tons of iron was removed from the wreck by Professor Maillefert's salvage company in 1873.  Spence and Batey examined the wreck after a commercial fisherman snagged his trawl net on it in 1966.Spence identified the ship at the site  based on vessel construction and location.

--Old B-Runner

North Carolina Civil War Shipwrecks Talk This Weekend

From the June 28, 2018, WWAY Wilmington, N.C., ABC  "Museum offering program on Civil War shipwrecks off North Carolina coast."  Marissa Yoder.

The Wrightsville Beach Museum of History is presenting "Shipwreck: Civil War Wrecks Off Our Coast" this Saturday at 4 p.m..

North Carolina is the home to more Civil War wrecks than any other state mostly because of the port of Wilmington which was a major hub of blockade running.

This program will offer a hands-on interactive experience with real artifacts from the shipwrecks and is free.

John Morris, the head of the North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Branch at Fort Fisher will present it.  he has more than 28 years experience diving on the wrecks.

--Old B-Runner

Diving On the Condor- Part 2: Easy Self-Guided Tour... Underwater, Though.

In between the hull and stern there is outer hull plating,  intact I-beam frames, the water tank, "beehive" boilers, both engines, paddle wheel shafts, paddle wheel hubs, the keelson and too many other pieces to be listed here.

The engine room is clearly defined by the bottom of the bulkheads while having enough room to swim between the engines in full dive gear.

There is a diving travel line running down her middle and buoys on the surface locating the ends of the ship.  Dive slates have been made for the site, which will provide the diver the ability to take a self-guided tour around the complete wreck.

Of course, the diving saying "Take only pictures and leave only bubbles" applies here.

Hopefully, the blockade-runner Beauregard (General Beauregard/Havelock) will be the next one the become a state dive site.  This ship is located right in front of where my grandparents' beach cottage was on Carolina Beach before Hurricane Haze hit in 1954.

--Old B-Runner

Diving On the Condor-- Part 1: More Than a Beginner's Rating

From the North Carolina State Archives.

A real nice sit with a map and cutaway views of the Condor's wreck.

The Condor is in relatively shallow, 24 foot of water on a rocky bed.  Parts of its machinery are only 13 feet below the waterline.  This would normally mark the site of a beginner's rating in diving.  However, the sometimes less-than-clear water and 150-year-old iron makes it higher rating than beginner.

The 218.6 foot iron hulled steamship is relatively intact.  The ship's bow is still attached along with the stern post and rudder.

--Old B-Runner

The Blockade-Runner Condor-- Part 1: Made It Through Blockade, But Ran Aground

From Wide Open Space--  Famous Blockade Runners.

Earlier this summer, the state of North Carolina opened the Condor Dive Site.

The blockade-runner Condor was 270 feet long, with a 24-foot beam and crew of fifty.

It was chased on its maiden voyage by blockaders but arrived under the guns of Fort Fisher safely on 1 October 1864 at Swash Channel Bar at the New Inlet entrance to the Cape Fear River and Wilmington, its destination.

However, it ran aground, possibly while avoiding the wreck of the blockade-runner Night Hawk.

--Old B-Runner

Condor Heritage Dive Site Opening in Kure Beach-- Part 2

The blockade runner Condor was attempting to run into the Cape Fear River with her cargo and Confederate spy Rose O'Neal Greenhow when it ran aground off Fort Fisher and was wrecked on October 1, 1864.

The ship was 218 feet long and the wreck is 25 feet down about 700 yards off the beach in front of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.  It has been fully mapped and divers can find its full lower hull, engines, paddle wheels and boilers.

Buoys will mark the site along with mooring lines for boats and kayaks.  Divers will be able to dive the wreck from June to November.

Interested persons can learn the ship's history and see artifacts at the Fort Fisher Museum.  There is a replica of the Condor's engine room in one of the tanks at the Fort Fisher Aquarium.

I Don't Know.  Some Big Ol' Sharks Out There.  --Old B-Runner

Condor Heritage Dive Site Opening in Kure Beach-- Part 1

From the June 5, 2017, WECT NBC News,(Wilmington, N.C.)  "Heritage Dive Site opening in Kure Beach."

The dedication to take place Friday June 16.

The blockade runner Condor is one of the best preserved shipwrecks and it offers scuba divers and snorkelers a great experience to explore.

Said North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Susi H. Hamilton:  "The project is the result of some amazing teamwork between the Underwater Archaeological Branch, historic site, maritime museum and aquarium staff, along with some truly outstanding community partners such as the North Carolina Sea Grant and the Friends of Fort Fisher."

--Old B-Runner

New Blockade Runner Dive Site in North Carolina

I came across an article about the new dive site on the wreck of the blockade runner Condor off Fort Fisher.  It lies about 700 yards off the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

Famous Confederate spy Rose O'Neal Greenhow was on board this ship when it went aground and her escape boat overturned in the rough seas and she drowned.

Old B'Runner

Civil War Wrecks Off the Carolina Coast

From Coastal Scuba.com site.

Two of the shipwrecks they offer scuba diving trips to are near Wilmington.

THE SHERMAN--  Originally a 200-foot long blockade-runner, post-Civil War wreck 52 feet deep and six miles out from Little River Inlet.  Lots of marine life and artifacts including US belt buckles, buttons and bottles.  A very popular spot for divers of all skill levels.  Half-Day Trip for $75.


THE GOVERNOR--  South Carolina shipwreck of a 200-foot Civil War paddle wheeler in 80 feet of water, 22 miles off the coast.  The true identity of the ship is not known.  Brass artifacts, Southern stingrays and marine life.  Three/fourths day trip for $90.

And, I Used to Dive, But No More.  Drat.  --Old B-Runner