. Jalbum 8.3 Ten miles offshore from the mouth of the Potomac lies the abandoned American Mariner... slides/IMG_1198.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 April 25. Heading back to the Bay's western shore after our failed attempt at reaching Tangier Island, we notice this strange sight- a huge ship that appears burned out. April 25. Heading back to the Bay's western shore after our failed attempt at reaching Tangier Island, we notice this strange sight- a huge ship that appears burned out. slides/IMG_1198.JPG slides/IMG_1203.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Loving abandoned things, we can't help but move in for a closer look. Loving abandoned things, we can't help but move in for a closer look. slides/IMG_1203.JPG slides/IMG_1204.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 It was difficult to tell from afar, but the ship must be at least 150 feet long. It was difficult to tell from afar, but the ship must be at least 150 feet long. slides/IMG_1204.JPG slides/IMG_1206.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1206.JPG slides/IMG_1210.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1210.JPG slides/IMG_1211.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 "USA Navy Ship American Mariner" "USA Navy Ship American Mariner" slides/IMG_1211.JPG slides/IMG_1212.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1212.JPG slides/IMG_1213.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1213.JPG slides/IMG_1215.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1215.JPG slides/IMG_1216.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1216.JPG slides/IMG_1218.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 We anchor Gonzo 100 feet away, get in the dinghy, row over to the American Mariner for a closer look. We anchor Gonzo 100 feet away, get in the dinghy, row over to the American Mariner for a closer look. slides/IMG_1218.JPG slides/IMG_1220.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 As we approach, it becomes obvious that the damage is not due to rust, but artillery. There are holes large enough on either side to pass through in small boats, and the bottom of the hull rests on the Bay floor. As we approach, it becomes obvious that the damage is not due to rust, but artillery. There are holes large enough on either side to pass through in small boats, and the bottom of the hull rests on the Bay floor. slides/IMG_1220.JPG slides/IMG_1231.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 We tie our dinghy to the stern and crawl inside. We tie our dinghy to the stern and crawl inside. slides/IMG_1231.JPG slides/IMG_1221.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 The coolest abandoned thing ever! This is the room we entered through, with a shaft in the center that rises thru several decks all the way to the top, sunlight streaming down. The coolest abandoned thing ever! This is the room we entered through, with a shaft in the center that rises thru several decks all the way to the top, sunlight streaming down. slides/IMG_1221.JPG slides/IMG_1224.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 The bottom of the shaft. During high tides, this deck would be under water. The bottom of the shaft. During high tides, this deck would be under water. slides/IMG_1224.JPG slides/IMG_1233.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Shaft. Shaft. slides/IMG_1233.JPG slides/IMG_1226.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Looking up the shaft at the next deck level. Looking up the shaft at the next deck level. slides/IMG_1226.JPG slides/IMG_1227.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Looking around the room...... Looking around the room...... slides/IMG_1227.JPG slides/IMG_1230.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1230.JPG slides/IMG_1235.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Now walking into the adjacent room. Now walking into the adjacent room. slides/IMG_1235.JPG slides/IMG_1236.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Half of the room's floor is missing. Birds sing inside the ship. Holes below the water line illuminate the water green, showing small fish swim through. Half of the room's floor is missing. Birds sing inside the ship. Holes below the water line illuminate the water green, showing small fish swim through. slides/IMG_1236.JPG slides/IMG_1237.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 The other side of the room. Some of the artillery that helped destroy the ship. The other side of the room. Some of the artillery that helped destroy the ship. slides/IMG_1237.JPG slides/IMG_1238.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 We find an intact stairway up to the next level. We find an intact stairway up to the next level. slides/IMG_1238.JPG slides/IMG_1239.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Moving down the hallway, towards the boat's bow. Moving down the hallway, towards the boat's bow. slides/IMG_1239.JPG slides/IMG_1240.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Artillery of all different sizes litters the floors. Artillery of all different sizes litters the floors. slides/IMG_1240.JPG slides/IMG_1243.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Debris filled hallways throughout. Debris filled hallways throughout. slides/IMG_1243.JPG slides/IMG_1244.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 The shaft, looking down at the room we entered through. The shaft, looking down at the room we entered through. slides/IMG_1244.JPG slides/IMG_1245.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Most of the stairwells are in this sort of shape, impassible. Most of the stairwells are in this sort of shape, impassible. slides/IMG_1245.JPG slides/IMG_1247.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Room after room of utter destruction. Room after room of utter destruction. slides/IMG_1247.JPG slides/IMG_1248.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 "This is the scariest abandoned thing I've ever seen", Sarah says. "This is the scariest abandoned thing I've ever seen", Sarah says. slides/IMG_1248.JPG slides/IMG_1249.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 We are not the first visitors, but there is very little other evidence of anyone ever boarding. We are not the first visitors, but there is very little other evidence of anyone ever boarding. slides/IMG_1249.JPG slides/IMG_1251.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Still looking for an intact stairwell up to the next level. Still looking for an intact stairwell up to the next level. slides/IMG_1251.JPG slides/IMG_1252.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Holes everywhere in the floors, must watch out for holes concealed by debris, so we move very slowly, testing each step. Where there are no artillery holes, the floors are otherwise suprisingly intact. Holes everywhere in the floors, must watch out for holes concealed by debris, so we move very slowly, testing each step. Where there are no artillery holes, the floors are otherwise suprisingly intact. slides/IMG_1252.JPG slides/IMG_1254.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1254.JPG slides/IMG_1256.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1256.JPG slides/IMG_1257.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1257.JPG slides/IMG_1263.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Engine room! Flooded, as seen from one level above it. Engine room! Flooded, as seen from one level above it. slides/IMG_1263.JPG slides/IMG_1264.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 One of the engines, I guess. One of the engines, I guess. slides/IMG_1264.JPG slides/IMG_1269.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Living quarters with remains of bed frames. Living quarters with remains of bed frames. slides/IMG_1269.JPG slides/IMG_1270.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Galley. Galley. slides/IMG_1270.JPG slides/IMG_1272.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Galley. Galley. slides/IMG_1272.JPG slides/IMG_1275.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 We finally find a decent stairwell. Barely decent, but it holds us, one at a time. We finally find a decent stairwell. Barely decent, but it holds us, one at a time. slides/IMG_1275.JPG slides/IMG_1276.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 After crawling through another hole in the wall, we emerge to the surface! After crawling through another hole in the wall, we emerge to the surface! slides/IMG_1276.JPG slides/IMG_1292.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1292.JPG slides/IMG_1284.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Many holes on the surface offering views of the deck below. Many holes on the surface offering views of the deck below. slides/IMG_1284.JPG slides/IMG_1293.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1293.JPG slides/IMG_1278.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Sarah explores the surface, wearing mittens to protect her hands from the sharp metal. Sarah explores the surface, wearing mittens to protect her hands from the sharp metal. slides/IMG_1278.JPG slides/IMG_1279.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Standing on the bow, looking up at the cockpit. Standing on the bow, looking up at the cockpit. slides/IMG_1279.JPG slides/IMG_1280.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Sarah and Garth standing in front of the cockpit. Sarah and Garth standing in front of the cockpit. slides/IMG_1280.JPG slides/IMG_1282.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Gonzo sits out on the water, awaiting our return. Gonzo sits out on the water, awaiting our return. slides/IMG_1282.JPG slides/IMG_1283.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 The gear assembly that once pulled up the anchors. The gear assembly that once pulled up the anchors. slides/IMG_1283.JPG slides/IMG_1285.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 The other side of the gear assembly. The other side of the gear assembly. slides/IMG_1285.JPG slides/IMG_1286.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 The anchor lines would have passed through these holes. The anchor lines would have passed through these holes. slides/IMG_1286.JPG slides/IMG_1287.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1287.JPG slides/IMG_1288.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1288.JPG slides/IMG_1290.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Walking back towards the stern. Walking back towards the stern. slides/IMG_1290.JPG slides/IMG_1291.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1291.JPG slides/IMG_1295.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Now on the stern, looking forward. Now on the stern, looking forward. slides/IMG_1295.JPG slides/IMG_1296.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1296.JPG slides/IMG_1297.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 This line probably would have pulled up a rear anchor. This line probably would have pulled up a rear anchor. slides/IMG_1297.JPG slides/IMG_1298.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Sarah and Garth on the stern. Sarah and Garth on the stern. slides/IMG_1298.JPG slides/IMG_1300.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 The walkway on the boat's port side. The walkway on the boat's port side. slides/IMG_1300.JPG slides/IMG_1301.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1301.JPG slides/IMG_1302.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 All the external stairwells up to the next level have been destroyed or removed, but we find part of an old aluminum ladder to make the climb. Here is the view looking back down at Sarah. All the external stairwells up to the next level have been destroyed or removed, but we find part of an old aluminum ladder to make the climb. Here is the view looking back down at Sarah. slides/IMG_1302.JPG slides/IMG_1303.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Sarah considers making the climb. Sarah considers making the climb. slides/IMG_1303.JPG slides/IMG_1304.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 She accepts the challenge. She accepts the challenge. slides/IMG_1304.JPG slides/IMG_1305.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 More artillery. More artillery. slides/IMG_1305.JPG slides/IMG_1306.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 This deck also has walkways. This is the starboard side. This deck also has walkways. This is the starboard side. slides/IMG_1306.JPG slides/IMG_1308.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1308.JPG slides/IMG_1311.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Looking down another shaft, this one at the boat's bow. Looking down another shaft, this one at the boat's bow. slides/IMG_1311.JPG slides/IMG_1312.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 The bow as viewed from above. The bow as viewed from above. slides/IMG_1312.JPG slides/IMG_1313.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 The only way to get to the very top level......... The only way to get to the very top level......... slides/IMG_1313.JPG slides/IMG_1314.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1314.JPG slides/IMG_1315.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1315.JPG slides/IMG_1316.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 At the top! Everything here obliterated with small arms fire. At the top! Everything here obliterated with small arms fire. slides/IMG_1316.JPG slides/IMG_1317.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Must have been fun to shoot this thing up. Must have been fun to shoot this thing up. slides/IMG_1317.JPG slides/IMG_1318.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Looks like a gun or cannon may have once been mounted up there. Looks like a gun or cannon may have once been mounted up there. slides/IMG_1318.JPG slides/IMG_1319.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Our presence at the top made a pair of ospreys very angry, who had built thier next at the top of the ships main tower, the coolest osprey nest anywhere. They circled and cried at us for 30 minutes, very loudly, the only sound around. Our presence at the top made a pair of ospreys very angry, who had built thier next at the top of the ships main tower, the coolest osprey nest anywhere. They circled and cried at us for 30 minutes, very loudly, the only sound around. slides/IMG_1319.JPG slides/IMG_1321.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1321.JPG slides/IMG_1322.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 We reach the cockpit. Nothing left of it. We reach the cockpit. Nothing left of it. slides/IMG_1322.JPG slides/IMG_1323.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1323.JPG slides/IMG_1324.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Each one of these weighs hundreds of pounds. The ship's steel hull is so thick that many of them still came to a stop somewhere on board. Each one of these weighs hundreds of pounds. The ship's steel hull is so thick that many of them still came to a stop somewhere on board. slides/IMG_1324.JPG slides/IMG_1326.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1326.JPG slides/IMG_1328.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Looking down through the shaft at the ship's stern, towards the room we entered through. Looking down through the shaft at the ship's stern, towards the room we entered through. slides/IMG_1328.JPG slides/IMG_1329.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1329.JPG slides/IMG_1330.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 A few pieces of artillery still had some paint intact, even some writing. A few pieces of artillery still had some paint intact, even some writing. slides/IMG_1330.JPG slides/IMG_1331.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Looking back down from the top towards our dinghy. Looking back down from the top towards our dinghy. slides/IMG_1331.JPG slides/IMG_1332.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1332.JPG slides/IMG_1334.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 slides/IMG_1334.JPG slides/IMG_1335.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Retracing our steps, trying to find the route back down. Retracing our steps, trying to find the route back down. slides/IMG_1335.JPG slides/IMG_1339.html# Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:31 -0400 Tada! Success. We didn't die and have plenty of pics and video to show for it. Tada! Success. We didn't die and have plenty of pics and video to show for it. slides/IMG_1339.JPG