Tales of Chesapeake bay shipwrecks and their buried treasures are legion. They are an enduring lure for both serious and recreational searchers. Their ghostly hulks are time capsules of a past waiting to be found. More than two thousand vessels have sunk in these turbid waters. Many lurk unidentified, while others have been discovered. A fresh feeling of discovery is something every diver wants to experience.
For centuries, this potential graveyard for ships had a reputation as a hazardous crossing. Experienced seafarers were well aware its shallow waters made locating shoals and discerning its bottom surroundings a difficult task. A map sanctioned by National Geographic has accumulated cartographic detail of more than 2,400 wrecks. The Shipwrecks of Delmarva is a stunning map. It contains useful information providing name, class and historical details. This map symbolically illuminates lurking risks beneath its calm surface. Among the many causes that sunk these ships are shoals, war, weather, pirates, mutiny, and other reasons capable of harming vessels.
This watery grave contains many Spanish vessels. Spanish ships, in search of precious metals, used the crossing heavily during the 1500s. This period preceded precious metal discoveries in Mexico. The MidAtlantic route was also used by Spanish vessels travelling back to Spain. Their sunken wrecks in this estuary have left treasure seekers with a bounty to discover. Coin laden beaches of Indian River Inlet are hints of their presence.
There are many well known sunken vessels. Others remain waiting to be unidentified. Modern technology is bringing discovery of smaller ships. New techniques such as side scan sonar are locating previously hidden vessels. Amateur marine archaeologists and recreational shipwreck seekers can now uncover obscured relics using charts and modern detection methods.
The Chesapeake bay is the largest North American estuary. As an estuary it is a partially enclosed coastal water body with an open passage to the sea. It is about 200 miles long, stretching from the Susquehanna River to the Atlantic Ocean. It is surrounded on either side by Maryland and Virginia. The rivers, streams, creeks, the land surrounding them, and the estuary itself constitute its watershed. Its three major tributaries are the Susquehanna, Potomac and James Rivers. The complete number of tributaries of this watershed is 419. This drainage basin covers 64,299 square miles and encompasses District of Columbia and parts of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York.
Earliest settlers from England who inhabited Maryland settled here. This long waterway was formed by melting glaciers. Their flooding of Susquehanna River Valley provided a stable food source for Native American tribes. The Algonquin tribe dominated nearby settlements and gave this estuary its name. Chesepiook, stood for great shellfish bay in their language. This phrase reveals its long history as a shellfish bearing resource. The lost remains of cargo underwater are a testimony of European trading activities in this region.
No one is allowed to dive without possessing a SCUBA certification. Divers should research wrecks in advance. There are many sources of publicly available information. Charts, books and the internet are all useful sources worth exploring to locate coordinates and to learn some background history. Charges and regulations fluctuate by state. It is advised that divers pick sites which match their ability. Depth locations vary. They can be 60 feet deep or more.
The season for Chesapeake bay shipwrecks diving begins in Spring and extends to Fall. Divers receive helpful assistance from dive shops and charter boat operators. Prices for charter boat seats vary. Dive shops may also bring rented tanks to docks.
For centuries, this potential graveyard for ships had a reputation as a hazardous crossing. Experienced seafarers were well aware its shallow waters made locating shoals and discerning its bottom surroundings a difficult task. A map sanctioned by National Geographic has accumulated cartographic detail of more than 2,400 wrecks. The Shipwrecks of Delmarva is a stunning map. It contains useful information providing name, class and historical details. This map symbolically illuminates lurking risks beneath its calm surface. Among the many causes that sunk these ships are shoals, war, weather, pirates, mutiny, and other reasons capable of harming vessels.
This watery grave contains many Spanish vessels. Spanish ships, in search of precious metals, used the crossing heavily during the 1500s. This period preceded precious metal discoveries in Mexico. The MidAtlantic route was also used by Spanish vessels travelling back to Spain. Their sunken wrecks in this estuary have left treasure seekers with a bounty to discover. Coin laden beaches of Indian River Inlet are hints of their presence.
There are many well known sunken vessels. Others remain waiting to be unidentified. Modern technology is bringing discovery of smaller ships. New techniques such as side scan sonar are locating previously hidden vessels. Amateur marine archaeologists and recreational shipwreck seekers can now uncover obscured relics using charts and modern detection methods.
The Chesapeake bay is the largest North American estuary. As an estuary it is a partially enclosed coastal water body with an open passage to the sea. It is about 200 miles long, stretching from the Susquehanna River to the Atlantic Ocean. It is surrounded on either side by Maryland and Virginia. The rivers, streams, creeks, the land surrounding them, and the estuary itself constitute its watershed. Its three major tributaries are the Susquehanna, Potomac and James Rivers. The complete number of tributaries of this watershed is 419. This drainage basin covers 64,299 square miles and encompasses District of Columbia and parts of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York.
Earliest settlers from England who inhabited Maryland settled here. This long waterway was formed by melting glaciers. Their flooding of Susquehanna River Valley provided a stable food source for Native American tribes. The Algonquin tribe dominated nearby settlements and gave this estuary its name. Chesepiook, stood for great shellfish bay in their language. This phrase reveals its long history as a shellfish bearing resource. The lost remains of cargo underwater are a testimony of European trading activities in this region.
No one is allowed to dive without possessing a SCUBA certification. Divers should research wrecks in advance. There are many sources of publicly available information. Charts, books and the internet are all useful sources worth exploring to locate coordinates and to learn some background history. Charges and regulations fluctuate by state. It is advised that divers pick sites which match their ability. Depth locations vary. They can be 60 feet deep or more.
The season for Chesapeake bay shipwrecks diving begins in Spring and extends to Fall. Divers receive helpful assistance from dive shops and charter boat operators. Prices for charter boat seats vary. Dive shops may also bring rented tanks to docks.
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