aue-mike
Contributor
The following information stems from recent controversy over the identity of a wreck commonly called the "San Delfino" off Oregon Inlet. Subsequent dives have disproved this theory, as the wreck is that of an American tanker with a triple expansion engine, versus that of a British tanker with a diesel engine. Digging into this in order to learn the identity of the now unknown wreck resting in 200 feet of water off North Carolina has revealed issues with several other wrecks. The current theory we are offering is that four wrecks are currently mis-identified; the potential true identities are listed at the bottom following a short summary of observations and bits of information....
1. I just learned something interesting about the aiming mechanism
that was recovered from the deck gun of the wreck currently called the
MIRLO. The mechanism had two disks: one for vertical positioning and
one for horizontal. The horizontal positioning disk was stamped 1917.
The vertical positioning disk was reversible, depending upon the muzzle
velocity of the charge. One side of the vertical positioning disk was
stamped 1918; the other side was stamped 1940! So, this would seem to
support the theory that the wreck currently called the MIRLO (sunk in
August 1918) is, in fact, possibly the SAN DELFINO.
The MIRLO is contiguous and appears close to 500 feet, which is
consistent with the length of the SAN DELFINO. Also, at least one
diver inspecting the wreck has repeatedly only seen one boiler, again consistent
with the SAN DELFINO, which was diesel powered with a single auxillary boiler.
2. There has been past speculation on the true identities of the
wrecks currently called the HUTTON and PAPOOSE. For example, there are
apparently the remains of three masts at the wreck currently called the
HUTTON, while that vessel only had two. The ARIO did have three masts.
3. A bowl recovered off the wreck currently called the PAPOOSE was
marked with P.O. Co., Syracuse. The HUTTON was owned by the Pure Oil
Company.
4. The HUTTON was known to have sunk soon after her attack. The
PAPOOSE was not seen to sink.
The initial torpedo hit the PAPOOSE on the port side near the engine.
The second hit impacted the starboard side. Historical reports say the
second one hit anywhere from near the engine to amidships. Not knowing
exactly where it hit is understandable due to all the pandemonium that
would have ensued after the first hit. However, it was known the
bridge was impacted on the second hit, so it could be quite possible
that the second torpedo hit just forward of the bridge as well. The
cargo hold just forward of the bridge on the wreck formerly referred to
as the SAN DELFINO is seriously impacted on the starboard side all the
way to the centerline. Hull plates are blown upward and outward.
Damage is consistent with that observed on the tanker CITIES SERVICE
EMPIRE, which also exhibits similar destruction at the reported
location of a torpedo impact. Further, there is damage on the port side adjacent to the engine on the wreck, though it is hard to positively tell at this time if it was inflicted from a torpedo or a result of natural deterioration of the wreck.
The historical record mentions the possibility that the PAPOOSE drifted
north. The GENTIAN entry for the wreck currently called the MIRLO
mentions that it could be the PAPOOSE, which was unaccounted for at
that time.
The triple expansion engine of the PAPOOSE was built by Hooven, Ownes,
Retschler Co. of Hamilton, Ohio. The wreck formerly called the SAN
DELFINO (built with a diesel engine) has a triple expansion engine.
China has been recovered from this wreck originating from East
Liverpool, Ohio. Furthermore, there are bricks around the engine and
boiler from St. Louis, Mo. A gauge recovered from the wreck was stamped as made by the Southwestern Shipbuilding Co, E. San Pedro, CA. The PAPOOSE was built by the Southwestern Shipbuilding Company in California.
While all tenuous and hardly conclusive, if one were to go out on a
ledge based on the above, then several wrecks are currently being mis-
identified.
CURRENT IDENTITY ----- POTENTIAL REAL IDENTITY
MIRLO ----- SAN DELFINO
W.E. HUTTON ----- ARIO
PAPOOSE ----- W.E. HUTTON
SAN DELFINO ----- PAPOOSE
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...........
1. I just learned something interesting about the aiming mechanism
that was recovered from the deck gun of the wreck currently called the
MIRLO. The mechanism had two disks: one for vertical positioning and
one for horizontal. The horizontal positioning disk was stamped 1917.
The vertical positioning disk was reversible, depending upon the muzzle
velocity of the charge. One side of the vertical positioning disk was
stamped 1918; the other side was stamped 1940! So, this would seem to
support the theory that the wreck currently called the MIRLO (sunk in
August 1918) is, in fact, possibly the SAN DELFINO.
The MIRLO is contiguous and appears close to 500 feet, which is
consistent with the length of the SAN DELFINO. Also, at least one
diver inspecting the wreck has repeatedly only seen one boiler, again consistent
with the SAN DELFINO, which was diesel powered with a single auxillary boiler.
2. There has been past speculation on the true identities of the
wrecks currently called the HUTTON and PAPOOSE. For example, there are
apparently the remains of three masts at the wreck currently called the
HUTTON, while that vessel only had two. The ARIO did have three masts.
3. A bowl recovered off the wreck currently called the PAPOOSE was
marked with P.O. Co., Syracuse. The HUTTON was owned by the Pure Oil
Company.
4. The HUTTON was known to have sunk soon after her attack. The
PAPOOSE was not seen to sink.
The initial torpedo hit the PAPOOSE on the port side near the engine.
The second hit impacted the starboard side. Historical reports say the
second one hit anywhere from near the engine to amidships. Not knowing
exactly where it hit is understandable due to all the pandemonium that
would have ensued after the first hit. However, it was known the
bridge was impacted on the second hit, so it could be quite possible
that the second torpedo hit just forward of the bridge as well. The
cargo hold just forward of the bridge on the wreck formerly referred to
as the SAN DELFINO is seriously impacted on the starboard side all the
way to the centerline. Hull plates are blown upward and outward.
Damage is consistent with that observed on the tanker CITIES SERVICE
EMPIRE, which also exhibits similar destruction at the reported
location of a torpedo impact. Further, there is damage on the port side adjacent to the engine on the wreck, though it is hard to positively tell at this time if it was inflicted from a torpedo or a result of natural deterioration of the wreck.
The historical record mentions the possibility that the PAPOOSE drifted
north. The GENTIAN entry for the wreck currently called the MIRLO
mentions that it could be the PAPOOSE, which was unaccounted for at
that time.
The triple expansion engine of the PAPOOSE was built by Hooven, Ownes,
Retschler Co. of Hamilton, Ohio. The wreck formerly called the SAN
DELFINO (built with a diesel engine) has a triple expansion engine.
China has been recovered from this wreck originating from East
Liverpool, Ohio. Furthermore, there are bricks around the engine and
boiler from St. Louis, Mo. A gauge recovered from the wreck was stamped as made by the Southwestern Shipbuilding Co, E. San Pedro, CA. The PAPOOSE was built by the Southwestern Shipbuilding Company in California.
While all tenuous and hardly conclusive, if one were to go out on a
ledge based on the above, then several wrecks are currently being mis-
identified.
CURRENT IDENTITY ----- POTENTIAL REAL IDENTITY
MIRLO ----- SAN DELFINO
W.E. HUTTON ----- ARIO
PAPOOSE ----- W.E. HUTTON
SAN DELFINO ----- PAPOOSE
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...........
). I can't wait to see if they manage to get some additional evidence on the identities of these wrecks.
... are not technical dives. Both within recreational dive limits...
