RME Euclid Off the coast of New Jersey, there are two identical steam locomotive standing side by side about 60 ft. deep on the ocean bottom. These probably weren't new locomotives. Here is a comment from a video made by one of the scuba-diving organizations showing the two locomotives and their details: It was proven on September 3rd 2014 that these two locomotives were part of a shipment being transported on a barge pulled by the steam ship SS Cornwall in March of 1850. Purchased by the Boston and Lowell Railroad that same year, the two locomotives were intended to operate as "yard trains" small trains that were only intended to move larger trains and cargo around rail yards. On March 23rd 1850 a terrible storm hit and the SS Cornwall sank, the barge however stayed afloat after its tow lines were cut by the Cornwall's crew. First Mate Timothy Anderson and deck hand Michael Parker made it to the barge after abandoning the stricken Cornwall - the 12 other sailors aboard the Cornwall were lost at sea. After the storm had passed Anderson and Parker spent the next 24 hours bailing water from the barge as it drifted blindly through the Atlantic. With no food or drinkable water the two men had to figure a way to save themselves. Parker suggested they fire up the boiler of one of the locomotives so the train's smoke would act as a signal to ships in the area. Anderson and Parker stoked the boiler of one of the trains and within 36 hours they were spotted by the Canadian frigate HMS Bailey. An account from one of the Bailey's crew records the rescue. "Upon investigation of the billowing black cloud we came upon a most unusual sight; what at first glance appeared to be a ship under steam turned out to be a waterlogged barge with a complement of locomotives - one of which was being stoked by two men." - Lt. Henry Briggs After Anderson and Parker were rescued by the Bailey the barge was deemed too damaged for salvage. To avoid possible collision with other ships a hole was punched in the barge and it was successfully scuttled. It sank to the bottom of the ocean with its cargo of locomotives where it rests to this day.
Euclid Off the coast of New Jersey, there are two identical steam locomotive standing side by side about 60 ft. deep on the ocean bottom.
These probably weren't new locomotives. Here is a comment from a video made by one of the scuba-diving organizations showing the two locomotives and their details:
It was proven on September 3rd 2014 that these two locomotives were part of a shipment being transported on a barge pulled by the steam ship SS Cornwall in March of 1850. Purchased by the Boston and Lowell Railroad that same year, the two locomotives were intended to operate as "yard trains" small trains that were only intended to move larger trains and cargo around rail yards. On March 23rd 1850 a terrible storm hit and the SS Cornwall sank, the barge however stayed afloat after its tow lines were cut by the Cornwall's crew. First Mate Timothy Anderson and deck hand Michael Parker made it to the barge after abandoning the stricken Cornwall - the 12 other sailors aboard the Cornwall were lost at sea. After the storm had passed Anderson and Parker spent the next 24 hours bailing water from the barge as it drifted blindly through the Atlantic. With no food or drinkable water the two men had to figure a way to save themselves. Parker suggested they fire up the boiler of one of the locomotives so the train's smoke would act as a signal to ships in the area. Anderson and Parker stoked the boiler of one of the trains and within 36 hours they were spotted by the Canadian frigate HMS Bailey. An account from one of the Bailey's crew records the rescue. "Upon investigation of the billowing black cloud we came upon a most unusual sight; what at first glance appeared to be a ship under steam turned out to be a waterlogged barge with a complement of locomotives - one of which was being stoked by two men." - Lt. Henry Briggs After Anderson and Parker were rescued by the Bailey the barge was deemed too damaged for salvage. To avoid possible collision with other ships a hole was punched in the barge and it was successfully scuttled. It sank to the bottom of the ocean with its cargo of locomotives where it rests to this day.
RME,
What is the source of that information about the shipwreck and the locomotive being towed on a barge? I have always heard that no historical documentation of the wreck has ever been found. I find that point made in references as current at this year.
Also, I find speculation about the circumstances of the locomotives that seems to correlate with some of the points in what you posted above, but it is only offered as speculation and theory.
That information about the shipwreck and barge is all new to me. Was that found by historical research? Is there any information about how that history was found?
At some point, I did learn that the locomotives seemed to be standing on something like a common floor of sorts. I guess that must be the barge they were being carried on.
EuclidOff the coast of New Jersey, there are two identical steam locomotive standing side by side about 60 ft. deep on the ocean bottom.
All lost locomotives are hard to recover. A lot of people only consider them as being candidates for restoration and operation. So recovering a lost locomotive would be getting a free locomotive. I consider lost locomotives to only be historical artifacts that speak of their history. Not only are they hard to recover, but they also usually in really bad condition.
Off the coast of New Jersey, there are two identical steam locomotive standing side by side about 60 ft. deep on the ocean bottom. They are brand new, but of course in bad condition due to time under water. Nobody knows how they got there. There is no shipwreck nearby that could be their origin. One theory is that the locomotives were swept overboard or jettisoned during a storm.
In any case, these locomotives date from around 1850, so as historic artifacts, they are very significant. They have just one pair of drivers. As I recall they are "Planet Class" 2-2-2s, but I would have check that wheel arrangement.
In 1861 a 4-2-0 type locomotive of the Hackensack and New York Railroad ran off an open drawbridge over the Hackensack River and went to the bottom. There's no evidence it was ever recovered, but after 150 years in a salt marsh river I can imagine what it looks like now.
Unless the right of way changed dramatically it would be in the vicinity of the former Erie, now New Jersey Transit HX Drawbridge and Tower.
There is/was an old 4-4-0 steam locomotive off of the CPR mainline about an hour east of North Bend, BC. Heading west it lies within easy view off to the left on a slope in a ravine. The locomotive has been there since about 1890 and too costly to remove.
I have been following that story here and on RPN forum. For as well documented as that wreck is, I am surprised that I have never heard it mentioned in various forum discussions about lost locomotives. There are several of them that are mentioned frequently, and some of them have never been found. Some are in rivers, and probably buried in the bottom. Water clarity is always an issue for searching underwater. This engine in Lake Superior is in very clear water, and is quite well preserved, although busted up from the wreck.
http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/740/t/258244.aspx
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Just found this in the Detroit news. Divers found a 106 year old CP locomotive in Lake Superior. The locomotive derailed and plunged from a clift into Lake Superior near Marathon Ontario. Good article and video. Check it out!
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/divers-find-106-year-old-locomotive-in-lake-superior
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