The hulking wreck has been a regular destination for divers but a riddle to historians: What ship came to rest in 85 feet of water 10 miles off New Jersey's coastline?
Now, federal officials have an answer.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Tuesday that it has confirmed that the ship is the Robert J. Walker, an iron-hulled steamer doing mapping work for the U.S. Coast Survey that sank 153 years ago after a violent collision with a 250-ton schooner.
Twenty sailors aboard the Walker died, making it the worst accident in the history of the U.S. Coast Survey or its successor, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The wreck was discovered by fishermen in the 1970s but its identity was a mystery until June when a NOAA ship conducting surveys for navigation safety in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy made a positive identification. Retired NOAA Capt. Albert Theberge and Joyce Steinmetz, a Ph.D. candidate in maritime archaeology at East Carolina University, provided impetus for the project.
"It's estimated there are 3 million shipwrecks in the waters of the world," said James Delgado, director of maritime heritage for NOAA's office of national marine sanctuaries. "You can't go out and look for every one, but sometimes the situation arises when you have an opportunity to do that. This was a perfect convergence of opportunity."
Delgado said the Walker could be one of the last remaining shipwrecks to be identified off the New Jersey coast. According to NOAA, the ship's unique engines and rectangular portholes were key identifying features. It was still pointed toward Absecon lighthouse, where it likely was trying to head before it sank.
Built in 1847, the Walker did survey work charting the waters of the southern United States and contributed to the opening up of many ports on the Gulf Coast to increased commerce, according to NOAA. Its work also helped chart harbors that would become strategically important for the Union Navy in the looming Civil War.
On the night of June 21, 1860, the Walker was heading north to New York when it collided with the schooner Fanny, headed from Philadelphia to Boston. In a newspaper interview, the ship's quartermaster described the scene as the steamer sank within about 30 minutes.
"The men stayed by the steamer until she was sinking, and then, without confusion, such of them as could took to the boats," Charles Clifford told the New York Herald. "Many of the crew went down with the steamer, however, clinging to the spars and portions of the wreck. ... The captain stayed on board until the steamer went down, and just before she disappeared from sight jumped into the water, and was picked up by one of the boats."
Perhaps due to the approaching Civil War, the U.S. Coast Survey didn't conduct an inquiry into the cause of the collision or assign responsibility, NOAA notes.
Delgado said the wreck won't be raised, and said he hopes it can be used as a tool for educating the public on shipwrecks and creating interest in diving.
NJHDA Hosts NOAA Maritime Heritage Program Director at the New Jersey Shipwreck Museum at InfoAge
Subject: Fw: NOAA At The Shipwreck Museum Sent: Aug 8, 2013 22:20
From: InfoAge Science Center Date: Thu, 08 Aug 2013 21:25:15 -0400 (EDT) Subject: NOAA At The Shipwreck Museum
An Electronic Update from InfoAge NOAA at InfoAge NJHDA Hosts NOAA Maritime Heritage Program Director at the New Jersey Shipwreck Museum at InfoAge
James P. Delgado, Ph.D. On Thursday, August 29th, NJHDA will host an evening with James Delgado, Director of NOAA's Maritime Heritage Program. NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) has set up the program in order to protect certain submerged cultural resources within United States waters.
"I'm a fairly recent addition to NOAA after 20 years working outside of government, including several years with Clive Cussler hunting for significant wrecks." said Delgado.
In recent years, sport divers have had concerns that access to many wrecks would be restricted by the federal government. Sport fishermen, have voiced similar concerns. Jim Delgado's recent work on the shipwreck site of the "Robert J. Walker" reminded him of this. He has taken steps to smooth the relationship between NOAA and the public it serves. "I do not want to send the wrong message. We want to establish a different, and new relationship with wreck divers and the "Walker" is a good opportunity to do that by not making it a sanctuary and cooperating and working with everyone to make it a better, more interesting dive. The commitment from NOAA is to encourage diving and without any permits required to dive or recreationally fish the site." said Delgado. "I'm hoping that any chance to work positively with you is not lost," he added.
Jim wants divers to be able to visit this site, which has special meaning to him and his fellow employees in NOAA. He will explain this to all of those who attend the August 29th meeting in the e New Jersey Shipwreck Museum at InfoAge Science Center. The museum is located at 2201 Marconi Road, Wall, NJ.
While he insists that divers no longer recover artifacts from this historically significant wreck site, he encourages divers that have already recovered some lend artifacts to a display he'd like to see established in an area museum.
Jim will also share some of the recent work that he's been involved with, including the 2010 mapping of the Titanic site, the detailed sonar mapping of the wreck of the USS Hatteras, a Civil War combat loss, and the recent deep sea expedition that recovered artifacts and documented an early 19th century wreck and discovered and documented two others in the Gulf of Mexico, which some may have watched online as the expedition was broadcast live 24 hours a day while it took place.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the public to learn more about what this part of our government does to serve the us," said NJHDA President Dan Lieb. "I welcome all area divers and fishermen to attend this meeting to meet Jim Delgado and hear what he has to say," he added.
The event is free-of-charge, but donations to the shipwreck museum are always welcome. The presentation starts at 8 PM and should run until 10 PM. Space is limited, so an RSVP is suggested. Please contact the shipwreck museum to make your RSVP.
InfoAge is currently open most Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays from 1 PM to 5 PM. From time to time, some of the exhibits will be closed as is the case with many museums and learning centers. We recommend you call ahead of time at 732-280-3000 several days in advance or check our website to see what exhibits are available. We can also open for groups and clubs of 10 or more on an appointment basis. Don't hesitate to contact us to arrange a special visit for your group.
Re: NJHDA Hosts NOAA Maritime Heritage Program Director at the New Jersey Shipwreck Museum at InfoAge
I'm honestly a bit worried. Here is a great spot for NOAA to try for sanctuary area/status(Now they have a Coast Guard, Read US Gov't Property) for this wreck. Give an inch...
This helps explain the NOAA boat I've seen heading out of A/C loaded to the gills with scuba gear. These guys are looking for a way in!!
James P. Delgado, Ph.D. On Thursday, August 29th, NJHDA will host an evening with James Delgado, Director of NOAA's Maritime Heritage Program. NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) has set up the program in order to protect certain submerged cultural resources within United States waters.
"I'm a fairly recent addition to NOAA after 20 years working outside of government, including several years with Clive Cussler hunting for significant wrecks." said Delgado.
In recent years, sport divers have had concerns that access to many wrecks would be restricted by the federal government. Sport fishermen, have voiced similar concerns. Jim Delgado's recent work on the shipwreck site of the "Robert J. Walker" reminded him of this. He has taken steps to smooth the relationship between NOAA and the public it serves. "I do not want to send the wrong message. We want to establish a different, and new relationship with wreck divers and the "Walker" is a good opportunity to do that by not making it a sanctuary and cooperating and working with everyone to make it a better, more interesting dive. The commitment from NOAA is to encourage diving and without any permits required to dive or recreationally fish the site." said Delgado. "I'm hoping that any chance to work positively with you is not lost," he added.
Jim wants divers to be able to visit this site, which has special meaning to him and his fellow employees in NOAA. He will explain this to all of those who attend the August 29th meeting in the e New Jersey Shipwreck Museum at InfoAge Science Center. The museum is located at 2201 Marconi Road, Wall, NJ.
While he insists that divers no longer recover artifacts from this historically significant wreck site, he encourages divers that have already recovered some lend artifacts to a display he'd like to see established in an area museum. Brian
Re: NJHDA Hosts NOAA Maritime Heritage Program Director at the New Jersey Shipwreck Museum at InfoAge
I have a problem with a "positive" identification based on a side scan sonar. Seems that an extensive underwater survey of the site and the recovery of a definitive artifact i.e. builders plaque, bell, ships china or silverware with the vessels name prior to the announcement would have been nice. I know of at least one other paddle wheeler with a similar "distinctive" engine. Not saying it isn't the Walker just would have been nice to follow some sort of protocol.
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