A few months back, I did a “Graveyard” series, in which the ferry New Bedford was mentioned. It’s the vessel with the tilted steam stack on the left. Some might see an eyesore. I see this looking south, and
this looking north.
And we can all see this looking back: hospital ship for those wounded at Normandy, or even vacation vessel for those traveling from Rhode Island to Block Island for relief. Do you have any recollections of sailing aboard her, either your own or vicarious ones from an older relative or friend?
New Bedford‘s story deserves to be remembered, preserved on film, even if the actual vessel is beyond hope. As does that of ILI-105 aka Michigan (sister of Day-Peckinpaugh). From low tide today, I got this foto
There’s still enough of her to identify the vessels above, not like the ones a little farther south
or this one with (I believe) long unsupported hand-operated bilge pumps,
or these (That’s Outerbridge in the background.),
or these.
But this one has almost decipherable writing (doubleclick enlarges) on front of the house.
It’s Blue Line 101, built on Staten Island in 1933.
All fotos by Will Van Dorp, checking out another graveyard near you soon. Spoken in less ghoulish terms, just trying to take inspiration from John A. Noble. Thanks to Jeff Schurr for identifying Blue Line 101.
Unrelated: I like naturepainter’s fotostream! There are kindred spirits (like him and me) who find each other via the internet and blogging. Naturepainter, keep up the great work!
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August 9, 2010 at 1:07 am
Barista Uno
Someone ought to put up a website dedicated to historic ships or ships that have at least an interesting story behind them. Perhaps a virtual gallery like the one developed by IBM for the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. Now and then I hear of some old merchant vessel or naval ship being marked for the scrap yard. This is like throwing away a piece of maritime history, a piece of humankind’s collective memory.
August 9, 2010 at 6:19 am
jeff s
the ruster in last two photos is BLUE LINE 101 built at Mariners Harbor in 1933. Note what looks like a 275 gallon fuel tank on roof of pilot house.
August 9, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Michael
In the very first photo it looks to me like that ship is still being twisted apart. Perhaps calm seas today, but the next time the water gets rough I believe large pieces are coming off this wreck.
it’s still dieing.
April 15, 2012 at 10:58 am
Christian Brown
Tugster,
The wrecks by the outerbridge that you stood on are all World War 1 era coal barges. Many of them were burned in an arson incident.
The larger ships out in the water are Dredges. My grandparents discovered the name, but i cannot rememberit right now.
Its good to know the name of “Blue Line 101”. I work in this area but I’ve never had the time to walk all the way out to that lighter.