Shinnecock Wreck

General Comments

DESCRIPTION **** HAMPTON CHRONICLE NEWS; WHILE TRAWLING IN 40 FMS OF WATER 60 MILES SOUTH OF SHINNECOCK INLET ON MARCH 13, 1991 THE 75 FT STEEL FISHING TRAWLER, SHINNECOCK, HAULED IN A 19FT LONG WORLD WAR II VINTAGE TORPEDO IN ITS FISHING NET; FEARING THE TORPEDO WOULD EXPLODE AS THE BOAT POUNDED IN STORMY SEAS 1/2 MILE OFF THE INLET, NAVY DEMOLITION EXPERTS SET EXPLOSIVES ON THE BOAT, BLEW IT UP AND SANK IT AT LAT 40-48-38.87N, LONG 72-29-46.91W (NAD83) (CONVERTED FROM LORAN C RATES); LORAN C RATES: 9960-X 26299.6, 9960-Y 43793.5; EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL DIVERS DOVE ON THE WRECK SEVERAL TIMES IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS TO DETERMINE STATUS OF WRECK AND TORPEDO; TORPEDO WAS 50 YEARS OLD, HAD WATER IN IT AND WAS CORRODED, SO IT PROBABLY DIDN'T GIVE OFF A HIGH-ORDER EXPLOSION; THE SHIP IS PRETTY MUCH INTACT; ALL THE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE STERN, WHERE THE TORPEDO WAS LODGED IN THE NET; BOW IS POINTING WEST AND THE BOTTOM HAS A FEW JAGGED HOLES WITH METAL STICKING THROUGH FROM THE INITIAL CHARGES; IT'S LAYING ON ITS SIDE AND THE RIGGING IS ANGLED INTO THE SAND; THE CABLES AND LINES ARE SCATTERED OVER THE RIGGING ON THE EXPOSED SIDE OF THE SHIP; RISES APPROXIMATELY 15 FT OFF THE BOTTOM WITH ABOUT 50 FT OF WATER OVER IT; NAVY AND COE WILL DETERMINE WHETHER TO HAUL THE SHIP OUT OR LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS TO FORM AN ARTIFICIAL REEF; OWNER IS CAPTAIN GEORGE "DANNY" HAND OF HAMPTON BAYS. (ENTERED MSD 5/91) *****The wreck was located SW of the charted position during a survey performed by Williamson & Associates, Inc. from 10/11/2013 to 02/12/2014. The hydrographer made a recommendation to update the wreck with the new position (40° 48' 39.6" N, 072° 29' 48.0" W) and least depth of 48.88 ft.