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BALEEN Photo: Shipwrecks Around Boston by William P Quinn
Type:
Tug boat
History:
Originally named the Jesse James, the re-named tug Baleen sank on November 1, 1975 after a mysterious fire broke out while towing a barge. The crew of eight were rescued from the tug by Coast Guard helicopter and the tug was taken in tow but sank quickly. The oil barge was salvaged and was towed into port by the Coast Guard. The Baleen had an illustrious history and at one time collided traveling too fast with a large vessel being guided into Boston, causing considerable damage. Had the impact been a few feet in either direction, she would have sunk the ship. And even her demise is not without some question regarding the circumstances of the fire. The fire was said to have broken out in the engine room, yet divers have observed no fire damage there. It seems the fire may have originated from the galley.
The Baleen was located by Captain Eric Takakjian and lies in 170 feet of water off of Hull, MA. She is sitting upright and listing slightly to starboard. The wreck has some monofilament and old line from gillnets that can be found along the starboard side. Penetration into the wheelhouse and engine room is possible, although the engine room is tight. The wreck is covered in anemones and a few artifacts can still be had for the one with a sharp eye. The Baleen has often been referred to as covered in a literal "garden" of anemones and on a day with good visibility, this is certainly true. The wreck can be reached in approximately 155 ft of water, currents tend to be moderate to none and visibility averages 20-25 feet.
Photos:
The port side corner of the deckhouse (left) and wheelhouse deck rail (right)
Another view of the deckhouse and rail (left) and steps leading to the wheelhouse (right).
The wheelhouse and cabin are starting to collapse.
Looking down the portside (left) and at right, the stack - it is still intact and is breath-taking with anemones covering it.
The drum on the aft deck with towing cable (left) and at right a steel porthole on the deckhouse, portside aft.
Looking down towards the engine room (left) and the towing bitt (right).
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