Delaware Bay- B.F. McComer

[Eastbayfe]

Has anyone dove on the B. F. Macomer. It is a fishing vessel that went down in Delaware Bay in the mid 1940s. My dad was the second engineer at the time. They did get off before she went down. It would be really interesting to go back in time on this dive.

 

[Oyster Diver]

I have never dove the B.F. Macomer. Based on Gary Gentiles book on shipwrecks of Delaware and Maryland, I'm guessing not much is left. The wreck was wired dragged twice, once in 1950 to a depth of 39 feet and again in 1976 to a depth of 50 feet. The National Ocean Survey divers reported a few wooden ribs sticking 2 feet from the bottom, steam propulsion gear and some plates. The steam propulsion gear does not belong to the Macomer so, more than likely, either the wrong wreck is described or there is another wreck on top of it. Hope this helps.

 

[Eastbayfe]

Thanks for the info. I'm fairly certain she did have steam propulsion. She was taken by the government and used for a patrol boat off Block Island and then she was bought back at the end of the war.

 

[Eastbayfe]

The steam propulsion gear does not belong to the Macomer so, more than likely, either the wrong wreck is described or there is another wreck on top of it. Hope this helps.

My brother found that she was built in 1913 and converted from steam after 1936. I had been spelling it incorrectly making it hard to find more information. Actual spelling Macomber.

 

[Oyster Diver]

Everything I know about the Macomber is from Gentiles book so if there are any inaccuracies I wouldn't know how to identify them. He does say the vessel was re-engined during its 1944 refit with a 6 cylinder Fairbanks and Morse diesel engine. Do you know what B.F. stood for? I have no idea.

 

[Eastbayfe]

I found a lot more info today.
Lloyd's Register - wreck returns ...taken in tow but sank 1 mile E. of Harbor of Refuge Light
Merchant Vessels of the U.S. 1947 - Foundered July 20, 1946 1.1 nautical miles 100 deg true north of Harbor of Refuge Light.
MVUS 1946 Official Number 211175 Gross tons 257 net tons 107 138.1 x 22.4 x 11.8 690 hp oil screw [diesel] owner Consolidated Fisheries Co. (Del.) homeport Wilmington
Built 1913 (Robert) Palmer & Son Shipbuilding and Marine Railway Co. Noank, Conn.

http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b1/bf_macomber.htm

I have a NY Times article as well.

 

[Oyster Diver]

So are you planning a trip to dive her? If so, I'm interested.

 

[Eastbayfe]

I work with a diver friend that is from that area and he still has family there. If we decide to dive the site later this summer I'll let you know. He tells me he has fished the wreck in the past. I'm originally from Lewes myself and I'm way past due for a visit.

 

[Oyster Diver]

That would be great. Thanks!