MakoMatt
Angler
There are a lot of sunken wrecks in the waters around Long Island. Some very close to the beach, and others far offshore. Many of the them have become the tombs of the men who sailed them, and where their remains will be for eternity. Some were the victims of U-boat attacks, others of collisions with other ships, and some of unknown fates.
Here we will take a look into the history of some of these wrecks, both inshore, and offshore, and the fishing opportunities these present.
Please feel free to contribute.
I’ll start off with one offshore wreck that has been a consistent producer of the tunas for many years. My first trips to this wreck were back in the 1980’s
The wreck of the DURLEY CHINE
I’m sure all of the offshore guys know of this wreck, and there are probably some that are scratching their heads. Most of us know this wreck as the BACARDI.
The DURLEY CHINE was a British ship built in 1913, registered in Cardiff, Wales, and a Canadian cargo vessel. She was 279’ long, with 40’ beam. She displaced 1,918 gross tons. In 1917 she was involved in a collision with the British steamer, HARLEM. All 28 men aboard the HURLEY CHINE were rescued by the HARLEM. This collision happened in an area we refer to today as Wreck Valley.
The wreck lay unidentified for many years. Legend has it that a charter boat Captain found the wreck, and marked it with a corked empty bottle of Bacardi Rum that his charter group had consumed. A weighted line completed the marker. And that name stuck until 1987 when a group of divers discovered the true identity of the vessel. The proof was the recovery of the ships bell.
She lays in 185’, you can often find the fleet out there fishing her, the BACARDI.
Here we will take a look into the history of some of these wrecks, both inshore, and offshore, and the fishing opportunities these present.
Please feel free to contribute.
I’ll start off with one offshore wreck that has been a consistent producer of the tunas for many years. My first trips to this wreck were back in the 1980’s
The wreck of the DURLEY CHINE
I’m sure all of the offshore guys know of this wreck, and there are probably some that are scratching their heads. Most of us know this wreck as the BACARDI.
The DURLEY CHINE was a British ship built in 1913, registered in Cardiff, Wales, and a Canadian cargo vessel. She was 279’ long, with 40’ beam. She displaced 1,918 gross tons. In 1917 she was involved in a collision with the British steamer, HARLEM. All 28 men aboard the HURLEY CHINE were rescued by the HARLEM. This collision happened in an area we refer to today as Wreck Valley.
The wreck lay unidentified for many years. Legend has it that a charter boat Captain found the wreck, and marked it with a corked empty bottle of Bacardi Rum that his charter group had consumed. A weighted line completed the marker. And that name stuck until 1987 when a group of divers discovered the true identity of the vessel. The proof was the recovery of the ships bell.
She lays in 185’, you can often find the fleet out there fishing her, the BACARDI.
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