Admiral Dupont
E-S - 140 Ft
Often referred to as the Offshore Paddle Wheeler, this wreck awaits positive identification. Recently, in light of the identification of a luggage tag, evidence now points to this wreck being the Admiral Dupont. This paddle wheeler sank due to a collision with the Stadacona on June 8, 1865. Admiral Dupont lies in 150 feet of water, 32 miles east of Cape May, New Jersey.
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Discovering the Admiral Dupont paddlewheeler. Co-operatively, Debra Whitcraft and Gene Peterson launched a wreck search in 1982. Putting together a group which included a who’s who of Northeast wreck divers and captains, they chartered wreck fishing legend Andy Applegate. He was first to scan many of the well-known ships that we dive today.
Sixty miles south east of Atlantic City, the sun broke as Captain Applegate’s diesels howled and then gradually dropped to just above idle. On the hammerhead bow pulpit, the mate released a heavy Danforth anchor. The boat then backed down over the wreck and the mate tossed a light grapnel off the starboard side. Captain Andy blew the horn and shut down the engines.
Bob Ehle, Rick Jaszyn and Gene hastily leaped off the bow and pushed our way down the tethered line. Imagine our shock first seeing what appeared to be a giant paddle wheel standing upright casting a shadow over the debris field below. One of the most picturesque wrecksites on the east coast.
On the way in from 1st dives on the Admiral Dupont.
