Dewitt Clinton
SPECIFICATIONS
COORDINATES
MAX DEPTH
RELIEF
SUNK DATE
26° 14.056' N
156
ft
30
ft
80° 03.666' W
47
9
m
m
April 29, 1995
30
ft
9
m
150
ft
45.5
m
RECOMMENDED MINIMUM TRAINING
HISTORY
-
Launched: October 31, 1910, by the Bethlehem Steel Company of Sparrows Point, Maryland, as a dredge and ordered by the Ellicott Machine Corporation
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November 14, 1994: sank in the Cooper River near Charleston, South Carolina, and subsequently leaked a significant amount of diesel fuel into the river.
-
After salvage operations to prevent the further release of fuel, the dredge was raised, cleaned, and towed to Florida by Associated Marine Salvage, Incorporated of Miami.
Name History:
DeWitt Clinton was a nearly American politician who served in the United States Senate and was the sixth Governor of New York. During his tenure as governor, he was largely responsible for the construction of the Erie Canal.
This accomplishment, as well as his contributions during his earlier work with the Erie Canal Commission, helps explain the naming of the dredge DeWitt Clinton.
Divesite:
The wreck has a double hull design, similar to a catamaran, but with squared‐offends possessing two big rings near the top and bottom that could host anchor pilings when in service. The interior of each hull pontoon has long, silty corridors that require care when exploring. The wheelhouse is large and has some interesting growth on it, making for an entertaining swim-through.