Posted by Ian Marshall on August 10, 19101 at 00:00:52:
Jim Herbert of Osprey Dive Charters (Barcelona NY) got a hit with a side
scan on Aug 1/01. I had a chance to dive and moor it on the Afternoon of
Aug 6. It appears to be a schooner/barge about 125-140' long in a depth of
147'. It has a windlass & two anchors at the bow as well as a bilge pump. A
total of five holds. It has another bilge pump and a very nice wheel aft.
The bow sits about 3' above the mud line, but the stern is closer to 10'.
The 3/4" poly and chain mooring line is attached to the bow windlass. There
is a foam filled white jug on the surface. Jim has asked for several weeks
leeway to hopefully identify it before the location is posted.
This is actually the second wreck he's found in two weeks. The other
appears to be a schooner in 165' of water. I haven't had a chance to dive
or moor this one yet.
NDA member Doug King found the registration numbers on the Sulfur Barge
(formally believed to be the American Sailor or American Scout)and it has
now been varified to be the Betty Hedger. On the morning of Aug.6, we were
able to finish placing the 4000# mooring block 30' off her bow. It now has
our typical chain & 3/4" poly line running to a foam filled jug on the
surface, with a 3/8" poly line running to a pulley and jug attached to the
wreck.
The location of the Betty Hedger as well as 24 other Lake Erie wrecks is
now listed on the Lake Erie (Eastern Basin) Mooring Project page attached
to the NDA web site at http://www.vaxxine.com/nda
The site also lists the styles and status (problems) of the moorings on
those wrecks. Ian
Ian Marshall, President
Niagara Divers' Association
marshall@vaxxine.com
http://www.vaxxine.com/nda