Kayaking the Concrete Shipwreck "ATLANTUS"
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- Опубликовано: 27 май 2020
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The second of twelve concrete freighters built for the Emergency Fleet Corporation at the end of the First World War, the USS Atlantus was obsolete right from her launch. Wrecked in a storm off Cape May, NJ in 1926, I wanted to kayak out to her and explore what remains before it settles beneath the waves forever.
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I swam out to this wreck last year. Sliced my leg open on some submerged rebar. 10/10 would do it again.
Ugh, that hurts just thinkin about it.
I think this should be a google places review :)
why?
@@Furhling why a Google places review or why did he do it in the first place my lord?
@@Furhling I mean of all the people who would know why, I’d assume you would already be one of them…
Chef's kiss to whoever decided to put a sticker for boat insurance on a shipwreck
a boat insurance billboard on a shipwreck is honestly pretty hilarious and good advertising, always have had an interest in this ship, glad to finally know some of its history
My parents brought me here in 1960 when I was five years old. My Dad took a photo of my sister and I with the Atlantus in the background which I still have. The ship made quite an impression on me, I thought it was frightening looking actually. I always wanted Mom and Dad to bring me back on vacation to see it again, but sadly they never did. I've thought about returning lately but there's so little left I don't know if it would be worth it. Your video is very entertaining though.
It's still worth seeing nonetheless, but make sure it isn't the only reason you come to Cape May. The town is beautiful, particularly in the summer.
I've seen this wreck my whole life and didn't realize how big it was until I got up close and personal with it. It looks much smaller from the shoreline.
5 in May 65' Atlantus impressed me too (Little Richard w/guest guitarist Jimi Hendrix was in Wildwood) I went back again this summer (2020) to see the Atlantus and hang out on the beach
As a life long resident, I can tell you it's 100% worth it.
Mmmkay.
I few years ago I’ve created a timeline in how the ship decayed and I pulled a lot of images from small websites on it. I found that the mid section of the ship had rolled over the same way the stern did and then to finally collapse due to its weak structural integrity. This occurred in the mid to late 70s.
I find the capsizing of the stern very similar to how the Palo Alto’s stern did in 2017, I think it could’ve capsized from the heavy list it was on.
I owned a ferro cement sailboat. It was a Flicka 20 and although heavy she sailed just fine. And keep in mind that steel has just as much ability to float. But they made great use of concrete during the war. There's still the barges towed to Normandy for the invasion that were tied together to form a mobile dock for equipment and supplies.
if u coat the hull with lineX, will it last forever?
@@myMotoring The hull could have cracks developing inside, but it could be repaired I guess
steel is waterproof and can be made thinner though
@@Blox117 steel definitely needs some treatment before going in saltwater. But steel still the best material overall, that's why you use it for war vehicles and use concrete instead for things that don't really need steel.
@@afoxwithahat7846 im saying that it is waterproof without treatment. concrete is not
I remember as a kid you could still go out and walk on the Palo Alto. It was very eerie looking down into the hold and seeing water flowing in and out with the waves. Seeing it today it's hard to imagine ever having set foot on it.
Yeah, it's pretty messed up. I've been to see it many times. There's a book about the Palo Alto called "Forever Facing South" which tells the history and includes a lot of pictures. I found a copy at one of the local libraries. Fascinating read.
I went there on the day after the 2017 storm that ripped it apart a bit more. Was weird seeing such a landmark that has been mostly the same your whole life further crumble into the sea
@@jimjamauto It's been slowly degrading since, but just on Thursday this week the pier that leads out to it was partially destroyed by waves from a storm off-shore! You could see some of the wreckage floating along in the waves.
My dad says he walked on the Palo Alto but he has no proof
"I'm gonna get out of here before Jersey decides this is worth charging me money for"
Sadly.. That's the truest statement of our state anyone can give.
Your presentation, talking, filming, enthusiasm, "I just have to touch this ship" is so refreshing. You've got a great thing going here. Thanks.
I love the person who used her as a billboard for boat insurance. That's some fantastic marketing right there.
Hopefully, NJ didn't/won't come after you after this well documented violation of their ridiculous distancing rules for kayakers!
Great background research and weaving the history into the video.
New Jersey is one deuce of a state. With all of their ridiculous laws they also will pull you over and fine you if you have one of those tag plates that run around the rim of your tag. Let's face it, any state that would elect a LOSER like Chris Christie as it's governor about says it all about their intelligence level.
Blue state woes. Glad that nonsense is over. Oh wait it's election season.
Oh, I was not expecting this, my god, *hallelujah* tom has given unto us a video!!
Welcome Lynskeyling
Welcome Dewinkeleerite.
Brings back memories... A pier linked the stern of the SS Palo Alto to the beach. My mom used to walk out to the bow of the SS Palo Alto back in the 60s. As a kid in the 70s, I could only go as far as the remnants of the superstructure due to a massive split in her hull. A few years ago, time and storms finally took their toll and she finally shattered and rolled-over☹
Sad, wish I could've traveled out to it before it succumbed to the sea. 😭
Fascinating that California has its own shipwrecks!
@@DJ.Apocalypto, kind of ironic for a state that in and of itself is one HUGE shipwreck!
The pier just got ripped in half on Thursday. RIP. I drove over to check it out from the beach.
@@forestshepherd253 I'm just down in Watsonville. Looking back, it has been about 20 years since I've gone over to see her😞
I remember seeing this ship in 1990 from the beach. I took two photos, and was always curious about the history. Thanks for enlightening me.
7/5/2022 - I grew up going to see the concrete ship at first it was so high in the water! Last time I was there much of the ship was still showing but that was many many years ago! I last saw the Atlantus-, I never knew her name, I was still very young and today I’m 69, almost 70. Thanks for the memories!
So did I and I never knew her name either. She was "the concrete ship" we tried to imagine floating as we searched the beach for Cape May diamonds. I remember the gift shop where you could buy the polished stones or even get your own rock tumbler. A child's imagination would run wild in the little shop. And yes, the ship was so high in the water. Kind of sad seeing it as it is now but holy cow, the "tour" was amazing @Part-time Explorer. Thanks for the adventure, it brought my childhood experiences with this ship full circle. The thrill of touching it must have been amazing.
I WAS 11 YEARS OLD WHEN I TOOK MY FIRST RIDE ON THE CAPE MAY-LEWES FERRY ON SUNDAY AUGUST 2,1964 ON THE S S DELAWARE. THE STERN OF THE ATLANTUS WAS STILL SOMEWHAT UPRIGHT AND, THE DECK HOUSE WAS STILL ON THE STERN ACTUALLY KNOWN AS THE POOP DECK. MANY OF THE CONCRETE SHIPS CAN BE FOUND AT THE FORMER FERRY TERMINAL IN VIRGINIA.
This reminds me of the SS Cape Fear (a concrete cargo steamer) that collided with the steamship City of Atlanta and sunk in Narragansett Bay in 1920 with 19 souls on board. She lies 180ft down in murky water, so there's not many pictures of her wreck. I believe she is one of Atlantis sisters.
From the look and sound of it, that's lightweight concrete, which would make sense for its application. Rather than limestone coarse aggregate, a pumice-like stone is used. That sound is the capillary action of moisture, and air being squeezed out. No doubt they used some kind of sealant on the hull to prevent water from penetrating to the interior.
Excellent video! I was in New Zealand in 1970 living in a flat overlooking the harbour in Wellington. A British family turned up in a concrete boat that they had been sailing around the world. I could not believe such a thing was possible but clearly it was!
My grandparents lived in Villas NJ, very near the Concrete Ship. My father and grandfather took me many times to see it when I was a child over 50 years ago. Another great video.
Decades ago, when New Jersey was a free country, I lived in the Vilas. I would be able to look at the wreck from the Cape May beach when I visited. Seeing this ship got me interested in the history of these ships.
🤣👏👏👏👏
😁I grew up there as well! Moved to FL in late 80's. It kind if looks the same from these videos🤔
@11:06. Just imagine touching that rebar. That most likely (maybe not) the last time it was touch by another human hand was while it was being built back in in WW1, by a person lost in time. How many generations have come and past? What a different world it was. This really brings words in the books out to reality.
There is a concrete boat competition held at Western Michigan University every year. They are usually something like paper-mache canoes or kayaks. Pretty neat idea.
I used to own a 47 ft Endurance Concrete Ketch sailboat , built in 1977/to 79 in Victoria British Columbia , it was awesome , fast , very responsive at the helm ,. previous owners took it all the way around S America . i also felt very safe on , ive owned wood and fiberglass too and was my fav
Fun fact. Here in Norway, during the 70s and 80s many build smaller sailing boats in concrete, or FerroCement, as it is most commonly called, 30 to 45 feet. But they are a nightmare to build, because you has to build the boat upside down, and build both sides at the same time in ordet to get the correct thickness and weight on both sides. They used chicken netting as reinforcement, but the main problem ended up being the massive weight. A neighbor had a 33 foot sailboat in concrete that weighed 12 tons, for comparing, a modern Bavaria 39 weights 8 tonns. So most of them ends up in what we call "The Norwegian Garden Boat Association".
Ferrocement boats are not a "nightmare" to build. They are actually pretty easy to build without any special wood, metal, or fiberglass skills needed. No they don't have to be built upside down. And they are "self ballasting" in that you don't have to provide tons of extra lead or steel to the hull, so they are far more efficient structures than conventional construction. I promise you that you can't tell the difference and an 8 ton boat is no easier to move on ground or water than a 12 ton one.
Sorry but you are regurgitating the usual bias against ferrocrete boats, and I at least need to get this retort in because the video makes the same mischaracterization.
When I was younger my parents would take me to Galveston TX to spend a summer vacation down there and if you take the Galveston to Bolivar ferry if you look out you can see one of the Atlantus’s sister ships the S.S. Selma, so if you’re ever down there trying looking at it it’s really broken down but it’s still amazing looking
I actually live in villas NJ, about 5 minutes from the ship wreck which I can see just a bit of. We used to make up stories that there was gold under it
Taking notes at the start of the video so I can pass my ship building exam tomorrow. Big tip, concrete sinks.
Got a B+ because there were no questions about concrete.
These vids are cool as hell. Always knew NJ had a lot of history (hidden and otherwise). Keep up the good work!
On a side note, it's a little ridiculous you're forced to do a mini rounding Cape Horn to get to the site so you don't get fined! 🙄😂
I've lived in Lower Township most of my life. I grew up seeing this ship from Sunset Beach and from Douglas Memorial Park next to yhe Ferry terminal. I've been fascinated by this ship my entire life. So how fitting that my husband would eventually propose to me on the beach with a Cape May Diamond. I love your video because it shows how precious few years we have left with our beloved ship. Thank you for this amazing video!
"Video by
Thomas Lynskey
Emma Lynskey"
:)
Wait Tom has a wife I had no idea
very nice job documenting the last stages of the wreck. I too first saw it as a young child in 1957-58. My extended family owned homes in Cape May and when ever we visited i would always asked to see it. My uncle had to read the sign on the bow for me and I loved that it was for boat insurance. our family loved to look for what they called Cape May diamonds on Sunset Beach so we always made a visits through the years. Still fascinated with it even though i am over 70 now. September of 23 was my latest visit. Thanks!
These videos are just so great, man! Well done. It's really interesting to learn about such a unique kind of ship... What exactly were these shipbuilders thinking, though? Concrete?? xD
Slow and steady wins the race
Its not concrete like is in your sidewalks. Its ferrocrete. The metal armature inside provides tensile strength and the cement provides compressive and extreme durability. The reason videos like this is made is because when a ferrocrete boat sinks, like any boat can, the structure will last for centuries instead of decades like even plastic boats will.
@@obsidianjane4413 it was also quite the "fad" in the late 60s and early 70s to build regular boats out of ferrocrete. There are still a few of them around. The Atlantis was noted to be slow, but rather vibration free, unlike a steel ship. She did need to be more carefully handled while in port. In reality she was no different than the wooden ships in Mallows Bay on the Potomac, built to ferry men and supplies across the ocean while using a minimum amount of precious steel that was more needed for the war effort.
IKR
@@sailingspark9748 the saving in steel was possibly the biggest attraction, they made a number of ferro cement liberty ships in the second war, they all lasted until peace was declared as being slower and heavyer they were less economic to operate, the mulberry harbours used for D day and beyond were ferro cement, a couple of the support barges that never made it can still be seen around the Garliston area where some were made, they sit where they were washed up after breaking free and running aground, being made of what is basically reconstituted rock these little pieces of history will fortunately be with us for many years to come.
I know this was posted two years ago but if you wanna see an almost complete upright shipwreck I highly suggest looking into the MV E Evangelia (Evangelia), it's an awesome shipwreck in the black sea (Romania) I'm Romanian and I'd love to see a video on about it!!
Ya know when you said today's adventure I didn't know you meant it that literally. This channel is great
I just found your channel and I absolutely love it. Fun to find so many hidden locations in such a densely populated state! Hope to run into ya one day on a trail! Happy hiking!
Thanks Gary!
I remember a concrete sailboat in Owen Sound that eventually ended up on Colpoys Bay. I imagine it is still being used. It is a viable material. There are several Canadian merchant ships that were made of concrete sunk as breakwaters in BC. They were watertight and had bulkheads. They were difficult to get crews for because of the bias against concrete. Steel does not float either.
My father was a fireman or stoker on the S.S. Yankcanuck. Built in 1885 or 1889 it sat sunk in Midland during the depression and was brought back into service during the war as the steel lake ships got drawn out into the Atlantic.
The ship was very rotten and it could not accept a nail. Leaks were generally repaired with concrete patches. It was finally taken out of service in the late 50s after the loss of the Morrell and the fallout when it was brought to the publics attention just how unseaworthy a lot of the ships on the lakes actually were.
Hit or miss.....It can be made into n3ar indestructible boats but also can 3asily be messed up by inexperienced builders
I wasn’t expecting to see the Atlantus here! I’ve seen her almost every year for most of my life when we go on vacationing in Wildwood NJ, in fact I’m probably going to see her tonight lol. Great to find some more info on her
I had suspected the stern was in her side, but I hadn’t been able to confirm it until now. So thanks for that as well!
My family's been going to Cape May every summer for all of my short 35 years! Thanks for going out there before she's completely gone!
North Cape May! That’s my neighborhood!
I head over to the beach to visit every few weeks, have lunch there and just watch.
A very fascinating vessel.
In the winter when we get really nasty storms and the bay freezes over many will dare the ice and walk up to the ship.
Amazing job on this video, its always great to see a ship like this documented before its lost forever!
reinforced concrete was invented by a french man called Monier, who wanted to make stronger flower pots..........he had no idea the revolution he was going to usher in. Its a brave and committed historian that braves NEW JERSEY to cover a ship wreck. I salute you 0'7
It's interesting, we have a ferrocement boat here in Santa Cruz(The Palo Alto) California. She's been beached for something like 60 years, maybe longer. At one point she was boardable and had a functional restaurant on board that patrons could walk down a pier to dine in. The pier still exists, and you can tell there's a ship at the end, but she's so far gone now that only the seagulls and otters inhabit her.
What a place to put your advertisement for 'boat insurance'!
You should do a video about the Edmund Fitzgerald. Although it is a bit overdone already, I'd love to see you have a crack at it! The quality of your videos is just astounding!
I'm also honestly surprised that parts of her are still there after 94 years. Concrete and steel really don't like being in saltwater for almost 100 years, not to mention that these ships were built cheap.
I can still remember the first of hundreds of times I would see the wreck. My dad bringing us to the beach and seeing the concrete ship, still very much identifiable, both sections, even for a small child's eyes. He would tell stories of going out to it, climbing aboard and fishing off of it. My mom would also tell stories of them as teenagers, having parties out on it as well. As I look at it today, in its far advanced state of decay, disappearing more and more, I can recall times in my life relevant to the condition of the ship.
Grew up marveling at this wreck while collecting Cape May diamonds on the beach. Emotional video very well done
I love when Tim uploads a new vid, you know you’re going to learn something and enjoy it
Indeed!
Such a cool video man!
Thank you so much for your sketch and explanation of what we are actually seeing. I have looked at the postcard with the old and new pictures so many times and tried to decipher how the old picture turned into the new picture.
Seen the "concrete boat" so many times in my life, yet I never knew its history. I learned something new today, thanks.
There was also a fleet of wooden cargo ships built during WWI. Similar story - they weren't finished in time for the war, so they were docked at Mallow's Bay in the Potomac River south of Washington, D.C. and eventually burned to the water line. Today one can kayak the wrecks there much like you did in this video. My great-uncle who lived in Margate took us to Cape May one time in the 1960s to show us the concrete ship. There was much more of it then. As a little kid I was very perplexed as to how a ship made of concrete could possibly float. Thank you for putting up this video. It brought back great memories. 😀
in the 70s, every summer we used to drive from where we lived in Montreal down to Cape May to vacation there at a campground. We took a lot of side trips, one of which was down and around where the ship lay. We never knew anything about it other than it was concrete. I couldn't understand why someone wouldn't haul it away. Nice to have the story - there is a lot less of the ship left now!
Thank you for this! I grew up in South Jersey and I remember my parents taking us there and that was one thing that sparked my love of old ships and shipwrecks. Great video!!!!
I'd love to see a video on the Pennsville-New Castle ferry if you ever get a chance.
“It sinks!” This was a top notch introduction lol
Very cool!! I saw this every summer in Cape May when I vacationed every summer. You should do what's left of the bunker in Cape May by the lighthouse. I was able to see the bunker and walk on it years ago and now it's sad u can't most is under water. Still very cool to see.
Being born and raised in Cape May County, I love hearing about the Atlantus and the Sindia, our local "celebrity" shipwrecks!
Really enthralled about this ship as I am originally from NJ and have been to Cape May several times. Had not heard this story though. You really got close and around the ship. Glad you were able to touch it for remembrance. Great vlog.
Atlantic, Altantus. Tom really has a thing for ships with these type of names.
It’s his kink
CAF Productions I made a meme about the video
I've viewed this ship from the beach a few times over the past 60 years. Great that you two took me back for one more visit and filled in the history. Concrete manufacturers have tried to develop many more uses for Portland cement and probably the most unusual is a "light weight" Frisbee. Ouch! Naturally it never took off. cw 3-19-2022
I love ur channel... I've always loved history and archeology both understand and above. You provide history, the human stories of those involved and seeing the remains of the vessels or towns etc involved. Thank you for all your hard work and research into each story.❤❤❤
Excellent documentary! To actually touch the SS Atlantus, even more excellent! I've been noticing that she's been breaking apart and slowing diminishing into the ocean over the years.
In 1973 a concrete yatch called "Helsal" won the Sydney to Hobart Yatch Race in record breaking time. The yatch was known locally as "The Flying Footpath".
Quality of these videos are amazing, thank you for your hard work! I expect this channel will grow fast!
Honestly you are an awesome human being. Thank you for what you do.
There is another concrete shipwreck in the harbor of Charleston SC called the C.J Sawyer that is great to kyak around :)
Just started seeing this channel. Interesting stuff ! I love history and watch a bunch of history channels. That's how your channel came up probably. Thanks and keep up the Great Work.
Thank you for making this video! My dad took me to Sunset Beach when I was a kid (80's) and showed me that ship. I always wanted to see it up close and day dreamed of doing what you did. There was no internet then and I didn't know much about it and figured I would never see it up close. I thought about it today and wondered if anyone did a video showing it close up and put it on youtube. This was really interesting! I really appreciate you making this video.
I must say that your videos and the way you do them are on the top of my favorite ones. You fall in line with my favorite in a different area the man that does awesome restorations. You're both top of the line at what you do. And you resemble a very young Brandon Fraser the actor. I hope you take that as a compliment.
I have enjoyed watching all of your videos. I have seen one of these concrete ships in Galveston, TX. Supposedly someone still lived in a deck house. Thank you for the good work.
wow the format and information in this video was great, very easy and fun to watch
Omg I've been on the Cape May-Lewes ferry so many times!!! I gotta keep an eye out for this wreck next time I head to NJ, thank you!!!
I stop by to check it out at least once a year. Thanks for sharing!
I remember 50 years ago in my village, we all turned out to see the launch of the concrete boat at high tide. It missed the first tide because it was so heavy it got stuck, but it caught the night tide. It was a big yacht that sailed around tge world or was meant to.
I grew up outside of Atlantic City and I think my father told me about this. This is fascinating and I’m happy to learn about the impact this has made on the lives of beachgoers to my neck of the woods. Thanks!
Fantastic job! This is a New Jersey icon that has been talked about forever. Thanks for a great video!
Ive always been fascinated by this ship! Awesome Job!!!
I grew up in Trenton and we used to go to Cape May for the weekend. I saw that wreck all the time and never did believe it was a ship because to me, from the shore, I distinctly remember it looking like it was made of concrete. So thanks for answering a lifelong question I forgot I even had.
You are a kindred spirit my brother - thanks for that...
There are several of the concrete ships used as a breakwater at kiptopeke Virginia near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay . Nice work on the storytelling . Thanks
Mate this was a wonderful video. Very interesting and well articulated. Thank you!
My Grandfather built ahouse at Cape May Point. Used to live in Camden and would go to the shore occasionally. I remember the ship with the sign on it and the superstructure with railings. This was the 60s. Haven't been back in decades. I'm about like that ship. Still here, but not for long.
I don't know how close you can get to them, but if you look at the Nuclear Plant in Salem, there are a ring of sunken ships protecting the plant from the River itself. There also appears to be several more than managed to break away and sink closer to the Hope Creek Jetty.
As a new subscriber and fan of history. Been enjoying your videos. Currently watching your ghost towns and ruins playlist. Really amazing. ❤😊
Thank you for documenting this! Absolutely incredible 🙏🏻
I'm absolutely loving your content Tom!! Wonderful work.
I’m amazed at how much work you put into each and every subject you cover. I especially love the information on the older subjects, I never even heard about! These stories need to be heard, and you tell them most effectively.
Unfortunately, the history is total bunkum, Urban Myth. It’s actually quite scary that so many people have heard the preposterous story that SS Atlantus crossed the Atlantic “at least twice”
Excellent job. We go to cape may frequently. Did not know this story. Thank You
I enjoy your enthusiasm for these ships of yore. Very interesting. Thank you.
thank you for this. awesome video. LOVE THIS.
That was a really cool video brother. Thanks for making that.
Video quality has been increasing with every upload. Very well done.
Another interesting video. Thanks for taking me along.
its amazing how a small thing in the water can have a great story behind it for example that pier you passed thats what I love about wrecks and abandoned things, they tell their own story in a spectacular way.
Or, like this video, he can just make a story up
Too cool...I commercially fished out of CM for years and always wondered about the real story . Thanks so much !
Funny, i was curious if this channel had a video of the Atlantus, and when i checked it was recently added. Very well done.
Great video. Fascinating.
Very cool! Thanks for this really informative video. I couldn't imagine sailing across the Atlantic on it.
Just found your channel & now I'm bingeing on it. The ferry reminded me of the wreckage of a boat on the ferry ride between the Bolivar Peninsula & Galveston. I've read about it but don't think I've ever seen a video.
We vacationed in Cape May Point in the ‘60s and 70s, and would fish around the Atlantis in a home made row boat. It was a great place to fish. We would catch so many flounder and weakfish we would sell them to the fish market in Cape May. One time we hooked a weakfish, and thought we’d lost. But when we reeled in the fish was still on the hook, but a shark shad bit it’s tail off.
Appreciate you for this. Brave to go out in the khayack. I wouldn't ever do that. Great footage and commentary.
I just recently discovered your channel I really enjoy the videos keep up the good work 👍