BOAT

In April 1971 the Angela was in tow with over 70,000 barrels of cement heading for Boston via the Cape Cod Canal. With very dense fog and a building sea, the tow hawser parted. The captain of the tug decided to anchor his tow (he was able to do this using a remote control device). He then placed two crew on the barge to check the anchor and, finding it secure, sought shelter in New Bedford to wait out the fog and seas. The changing current meanwhile swung the barge onto the nearby Hens and Chicken Reef. When the captain returned he found his barge squarely impaled on top of Old Cock Rock. When divers were finally able to check her hull they found extensive damage. Some salvage was conducted, her two diesel engines that operated the screw augers were recovered and her diesel fuel removed.

Today, the Angela remains grounded on the rock reef that ensnared her. She can be located on any nautical chart off Westport, Massachusetts. On a calm day she is a great fish haven with lots of colorful marine growth. A group of divers in the 1970's recovered many portholes from the wreck and there are none left today. Depths range from the surface to 30 feet.

These sites are from the books Exploring the Waters of Cape Cod and Beneath the Waters of Massachusetts Bay by Donald L. Ferris. These books are available at local dive stores or by clicking on the link. Permission has been granted by the author for use in this web site only. Copyright © 2000, Donald L. Ferris. All rights apply.