Located off the coast
of Long Branch, New Jersey lay a most unusual find;
a pair of pre-civil war era steam locomotives. The
two sit upright in 85 feet of water very close
together on the ocean floor with no sign of a
shipwreck anywhere in the area.
Located in 1985 by a
local dive boat captain, these locomotives have
remained a mystery for many years. Members of the
New Jersey Historical Divers Association (NJHDA)
have conducted extensive research on the site in
attempt to determine how these Planet Class 2-2-2
loco’s came to rest on the ocean floor.
Early in 2004, the
story caught the interest of the producers of The
History Channel’s – Deep Sea Detective Show. With
the help of
NJHDA and the New
Jersey Museum of Transportation (NJMT), plans were
forged to film the site in hopes of gaining more
information as to how and why the locos came to rest
underwater.
In June 2004, the
former Brielle, N.J. based charter dive boat
“SEEKER” served as the platform for filming. The
episode was filmed over 3 days and aired later in
the year on The History Channel. While speculation
grows, the true story of how these locomotives came
to rest still remains a mystery.
It was at this point
that the
NJMT began to
discuss the possibility of arresting the site to
protect the archaeological value of these rare finds
and on September 25, 2004 the arrest papers were
attached to the site.
FYI – This was the
very last charter for the “SEEKER”. It was sold soon
after and moved to Rhode Island.
Video
contains top side still images and underwater video
of the locomotives.
Doomed
Tower at Sea
July 7-8, 2001
Late in the afternoon
of July 6, 2001 we prepare the Seeker for a two-day
underwater film expedition located some 77 miles off
the coast of Pt. Pleasant, New Jersey to the former
site of the Texas Tower # 4.
The tower was part of
the of the early warning radar defense system
operated by the U.S. Air Force and was one of 3
constructed off the east coast.
On January 15, 1961
during a fierce winter storm, it collapsed taking the
lives of 28 crewmembers. Our mission is that of a
support crew / vessel for a production company led
by famed underwater cinematographer “Al Giddings”.
A documentary is
planned about the history and events surrounding the
collapse to be aired on “The History Channel” in
late fall.
Capt. Dan Crowell,
owner and skipper of the Seeker has carefully
selected his crew for this important trip knowing
that we will only have a small window of opportunity
to get the shoot accomplished. The offshore weather
conditions can change quickly.
All the members are
U.S. Coast Guard licensed masters and very
experienced divers as well. We will be supporting a
film team that has little or no North Atlantic
diving experience, in area where there is little
room for mistakes.
I looked forward to
this trip, as this would be a new experience for me
working and providing support for a notable
filmmaker like Al Giddings. In addition, I had the
opportunity to meet family members of those lost in
the collapse.
During the trip we
shared stories and I discovered new information
about the tower not previously known. In 2000, we
learned that the tower had suffered a significant
collapse in which we all were eager to see the
extent of.
We were blessed with
pristine surface and diving conditions for both
days, for which is quite unusual for the area.
Visibility averaged 70 to 80 feet with little or no
current allowing the film crew to spend the maximum
time allowable for shooting.
On day two the plan was
to film the interior of the wreckage. A high
intensity light supplied from a surface cable was to
be fed from its power supply mounted on the bow of
the boat.
This involved 5 support
divers from Seeker and both Dan and I were skeptical
of the plan due to the depths we would be operating
in (150ft. – 180ft). As suspected the plan failed
due to an electrical malfunction.
When all thought the
interior shots would be lost, the crew of Seeker
came through. Capt. Dan Crowell, an accomplished
underwater camera man himself, went in with crew
members and shot all the interior areas with his
personal video equipment which saved the day.
In the end, the
expedition was a success. All the necessary shots
were obtained. The days were long, but in true
Seeker fashion, the Captains and Crew enjoyed the
challenges they were faced with. Many of us
established new friendships that continue to this
day.
The show itself,
“Doomed Tower at Sea” was overshadowed by the events
of September 11, 2001 and was postponed for nearly a
year and a half before it aired.
Watch Video (Director's Cut/Demo)
Topside video by Our Town Films Inc.
Underwater video by Al Giddings & Dan Crowell
It’s a
dark and dreary day as the “Margie II” clears Hatteras
Inlet. The wind is increasing and the seas are building
early-not a good sign for where we’re headed. Captain
Artie Kirchner sets the boat on a course for an area
east of the treacherous Diamond Shoals.
This
expedition is headed for the lost German U-boat;
U-701. The sub was discovered in 1989 and its
location was closely guarded for several years.
Only a
week earlier, our team of divers attempted to locate and
dive the sub, but the coordinates obtained put us in 300
feet of water; much deeper than the U- 701 was
known to rest in. We had a new set of numbers for this
trip, but I remained skeptical.
By now the
seas were running 4 feet and building. It began to
rain and the forecast wasn’t improving, but we pressed
on. If we actually found the wreck, it would be
difficult to dive in these conditions.
After a
grueling 34 mile run, we arrived in the area and began
to search the bottom. Within a short time, the boat’s
sonar indicated some type of structure on the bottom-but
what was it? After a few passes we decided to attempt to
grapple it.
Dan
Crowell and I convinced Captain Artie to let us try a
bit of Jersey Style hooking and after a few throws we
snagged something and we were in tight. The sonar
indicated a depth of 112 feet. The pool was now open;
time to go diving.
We were
all anxious as to see what lay beneath. As the boat
bounced to the pounding waves, one by one, the divers
splashed over the side. Despite the poor topside
weather, we were met with relatively good conditions
underwater. Though dark, visibility was excellent with
little to no
current.
Descending
the anchor line to 30 feet, my view of the bottom was
obscured by a large school of Amberjack. Once through, I
began to focus on the sandy bottom.
My heart
began to race to the what lay before my eyes; an
intact submarine. The conning tower and deck gun were
plainly visible.
It was at
that moment, I knew we had made it to the U-701.
