Long Island Sound averages 60 ft in depth, with the greatest depth of over 300 ft at the eastern end. Tidal effects are strongest at the narrow western end, where all the inrushing water flow piles up and makes tidal variations of up to 7 ft. Strong tidal currents are also prevalent, and visibility tends to be poorer than the open ocean, especially at depth.
| ATLANTIC: ~ Built 1846, At NEW YORK ~ |
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| HULL of wood, built by Bishop & Simonson ENGINE, Vertical beam, constructed by T.F. Secor & Co., New York. Diameter of cylinder 72 inches by 11 feet stroke. Horsepower 1400 BOILERS, Two, Joiner work, by Chas W. Simonson, NY |
The keel of the Atlantic was laid in November 1845, and she was launched in May 1846. She was owned by the Norwich & Worcester Railroad Company, and was built for the New York, New London and Norwich line, and cost $150,000, being one of the largest and finest steamboats that had ever been constructed for Long Island Sound. Her commodious saloons and staterooms, the elegance of her fittings and appointments, the finish of her boilers and engine, and speed placed her in the front ranks of Sound boats of her day. A novelty was the introduction of gas as light on board - probably the first steamboat to be so equipped. She commenced her regular trips from New York on August 18, 1846. On November 27, 1846, she was wrecked by being blown ashore on Fisher's Island, L.I. Sound, being a total loss; about 50 persons perished. |
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from American Steam Vessels, New York: Smith & Stanton, 1895 |
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outline of wooden hull, paddlewheel
The Gwendolyn Steers was used to haul gravel from huge gravel pit in Northport to NYC. The loss of the Gwendolyn Steers may have been due to icing in a blizzard, or age and poor maintenance. A week earlier she had been run aground. The wreck sits intact and upright, with usually poor visibility.
The tug Gwendolyn Steers was renamed after my mother by the Steers. After the sinking she was offered to name another tug, but politely refused. The loss of life upset her very much. It was thought the tow pulled the tug down.
( Editor's note: there was no tow )
huge paddlewheels; wooden hull draped with fishing nets; hazardous currents & poor viz.
low debris field
wooden ribs and timbers
upright & intact, very poor visibility and strong tidal current
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Copyright © 1996-2008 Rich Galiano
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