Posted by D Gilchrist on October 09, 19100 at 13:53:22:
In Reply to: Wexford posted by Eric on October 05, 19100 at 20:31:27:
This post recently was on the Technical Diver Discussion Group. Doesn't answer the question about whether a restriction applies. If so, it's probably only until a survey has been completed. But this is only my guess. Steve Lewis states that:
"Last week, after a few attempts, I was able to dive on the newly discovered
wreck of the Wexford. I would like to thank Patrick Murphy and the Goderich
Marine Heritage Committee for the invitation to dive the wreck and to lead
the survey team.
While the wreck is an interesting sport dive, it was rather obvious to many
of the divers on the boat that day, that this wreck has been picked clean.
There are a few personal effects, some tools, and some other small
artifacts, but everything of value not bolted to the deck or bulkheads has
disappeared. The cargo (steel rails) is very evidently missing. The
superstructure is gone all but a few support beams. The masts are broken a
few feet above the deck. The hull, deck and exterior machinery is liberally
coated with mussels. The engine room is missing the gauge panel. There are
fishing nets on the wreck but not as many as I've seen on some virgin
wrecks. If I didn't know better, I'd say this wreck has been the target of
a salvage operation."
The question of course is why did the ship sink? No real clues. The hull is
intact. The auxiliary steering is connected, but the rudder's gone. The
prop is still in place. The coping around one of the forward holds is bent
outwards. The forepeak, which is collapsed down to the deck of the chain
locker deck, looks like it's been cut on one side with a welders torch. All
that superstructure is missing. And there's not a steel rail in sight...
surely, even if she turned turtle and lost most of her cargo, there'd be
something left.
Anyway, I'd be interested in an comments or suggestions.
Steve Lewis (Doppler)