Staten Island Boat Graveyard | Wrecks Next photo
Red

Red

Bookmark and Share More info
comments

Please remember that the comments posted here are not the opinions of opacity.us or its affiliates.

Yay! More pictures! *dances around* ...ahem. Anyways, I really love the rusted red color on this one and the perspective, how its half-sunk.
Oh my, Mr. Motts, of all the things that you have photographed, this is going to be the one that makes me the most uneasy. I have a strange phobia of what lies beneath the water, and these pictures just seem an awesome way to illustrate this feeling.
I'm the exact same way, Kassie...you wonder who went down with some of this ships...and what "lies beneath," not to get all movie quote-y (lol)
Amen, y'all. I think that's why I prefer the thought of 'sploring hospitals. I've been in so many that I know what to expect around most corners and in most basements and attics. But here - these things definitely gots monsters in 'em! :-)
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
As much as I love Abandonned buildings, I have always been facinated with shipwreaks too!! Thanks for the variety Mr. Motts!!
If you like this series of photos check out this web site. http://www.oboylephoto.com/ The author did a very in depth photo essay of this site a few years back and you can see the changes that time has brought about.
O'Boyle's site is cool but Mott's comments and the ability for the public to comment, not to mention Mott's historic information makes his site quite the mindblower.
I totally concur with Radical Ed! Mott's site is indeed addictive due to those particular niceties. The comments bring so much to the photos, which in themselves articulate volumes.
I LOVE THIS PHOTOGRAPH! The ship is largely intact, so it's too bad it couldn't be saved, or salvaged...whatever it is you do to a ship.
i love all of this. all of these photos are so awsome
It is weird though to look at the O'Boyle site and see just how much some of the ships have endured (the ferry, the red ship above and the Abram Hewitt have barely changed) whilst others have disintegrated and collapsed and are barely recognisable. And Motts, did you see the big white vessel 'Astoria' - and if so, what the hell was it? I do love the remains of the wooden ships on that site, their skeletons rotted right down to the waterline, and the contrast of the site at low tide, which reveals that in contrast, the steel boats fare much worse below the water than above it.

The red ship is impressive and I agree with Twug, it almost looks as though she could be pumped out and refloated...
No, I didn't see The Astoria; it was most likely scrapped
rich_edwards79, the Astoria looks like an older ferry boat.
I like the angle of the picture, it makes it look a little more ineresting.
I fell in love with this photo.
When I worked on tugbaots in NY harbor, this, I think, is the boat that my captain said was his daddy's tugboat down in Virginia long ago. The reason, he said, that the house structure was so much longer on deck than our was is because they had segregated black and white galleys. I just thought, "the goddamn south, eh?"
Such a beautiful 'old Lady' quietly going away. Great picture. I can see what she was as a working boat. Have always loved tugs.
I was born and raised on Staten Island, I never knew these were there!!!
Love your web-design. Good taste and well done
Hey man this photos are great, this boat graveyard... is it located near the Arthur Kill Road, or near the Bethel Cemetery?
[Info removed as per site policy] Where did Mr Motts put in your kayak? I would drive down from MA to cruise this boneyard
Zdorovskii korablik.....-)))) GGqqqqq.....
Too cool matey!
Cool picture! Just surfed into your site from the U.K. What can I say ? Awesome. I have a morbid fascination for any type of wrecks - Scapa Flow, Normandy (D-Day relics). Seen some fantastic half-tracks/Shermans in France, inc a couple on the beach. Some of those old WW2 planes semi-submerged .
Hola estoy impresionado por la belleza que desprenden estas imagenes muertas.
Suerte a todos.
es impresionante la belleza de estos barcos
I kayaked with a friend from the Rahway River on July 4th 2003 to this place. AMAZING adventure! Does anyone know of photos or info. related to the old graveyard of ships/barges along the Hudson River off of River Rd. in Edgewater, NJ that existed in the early to mid-1970s. Arson/fires destroyed it all by the late 1970s. As a child, my father and I would go crabbing there and I could explore for hours! Please respond if you have any info. THANKS!
On the NJ turnpike near exit 9,,on the east side of the turnpike. There is an old car ferry..Its been there over 25 years. When I was much younger and visit my cousins. Every time we got on the turnpike and headed north.....I would just stare out the window and look at that old car ferry....Its way up on a muddy,mucky shore line...When I became much older I wanted to travel and see it up close..I hope one day you will visit it.
a frw years ago my son jamies friend zero from todt hil too us for a boat ride to see the boat graveyard. it was a very exciting moment in my life. it was exciting and scarry at the same time. it was getting dark and the water police chased us from the spot . we tool pictures of the boats and very strange not one of the pictures came out. may be the spirits around didnt want to be captured that day . i would love to go back again one day when we would h ave more day light. thanks for this opportunity to tell my story and thank you zero. gail
chrisFDNY, I've passed that old ferry a bunch of times, it's nasty down there but I might get to it one of these days...
Go get "Google Earth" install, look up staten island, go to the south west corner and begin scanning the chanel northwards... You'll run into the shipyard before very long. and yes! you can actually identify some of the ships....
chrisFDNY,
I too have been captivated by that ferry... after some quick internet research I found interestingly enough that it is a late 1930' Staten Island ferry named "The Mary Murrar." Even more interesting is what sits next to her... read on: http://www.itsnewjerse...ship/marymurray.html
We are a wasteful species...
i love this boat it's my all time best memory of staten island, i remember when i rode on this ship as a young boy. ah my heart beats fast just looking at it and remembering the fun i had on board this lovely vessle... i will always cherish how the summer air had a pungent aroma of meals once shared by the wonderful people of this community and the sorunding areas abd the sun shone brightly as it reflected off of the tiny tug and back into my young eyes, old red is a memory that i have passed on to my children and they will share the great joy with their children some day.
Hey tony g,
Can you fill in any holes in this boats past? Must be sad to see it in such condition. I for one would like to know how you came to ride on her?
Your work is haunting and poignant.Makes you think about lots of things.You take people to places they would have never been.Beautiful work keep it up!
It dosnt look to bad
Hi guys,
Anyone know what her name is?

starkruzr@starkruzr.com
is very nice and cool
It's been built.............isn't it?
A shame, a darn shame.....
The red boat is the Pennsylvania tug "BLOXSOM" It hauled coal from Cape Charles Va. Was formerly a U.S. Army tug. The ferry near the Turnpike is the Staten Island Ferry Mary Murray built 1938. Astoria was a NYC ferry that ran from one of the islands up north, Rikers Is.?
Thanks, FB Jim. It's good to have a name attached to the ship. I love this shot.
Anyone interested in seeing boats like these in action, need to go to the Prelinger archives and get this copyright-free film. No cost to you.

http://www.archive.org/details/Boats1938

Enjoy!
I have to say, I thought it was wierd that I love abandoned ships, and i never searched for any of this until now... I think these photos are amazing, and it's great to see others share the same interest!!
Check it out - a link to a "Bird's Eye" view of the salvage yard: http://local.live.com/...5%252f0000002953.jpg
Armanda, Fantastic pictures! Thank you.
I've been fasinated by steam tugs
Oh my gosh these are amazing pictures. I've always been interested in sunken ships and abandoned ships. Im really interested in the 18th century ships. Seeing pictures of 18th century ships that have been found even if it is just the bottom is so cool. Im really into the 18th century because of pirates too.^_^
Kassie!! I have the exact same phobia! I always fear when I'm swimming the the bay or somewhere where ships are i'll hit my foot on a shipwreck, or I'm afraid of falling into the water onto something rusty, sharp, and old.. i dont know why *hides*
The following may help identify many of the vessels in this yard:

http://www.survivingwo...eamship/wittem~4.jpg

Here is a more current link to the picture of the yard on local.live.com:

http://local.live.com/...=1&scene=2302652

The Astoria, along with some barges and other vessels were moved further upstream, probably after the Coast Guard ordered the owner to get rid of them because they were blocking the channel in the 1970s. Local.live.com's Bird's Eye view even allows you to see the half sunk Ford Taurus in O'Boyle's essay:

http://local.live.com/...=1&scene=2308869

The half-sunk double ended steam ferry with the spiral staircase that also appears in Shaun's essay is the "Maj. Gen. William H. Hart", it and the ex
Reading RR McMyler Coal Dumping Machine can be found across the river
from the main yard along a group of piers.

Ever since I saw O'Boyle's essay I have been facinated with this place; several folks on the web have helped me identify many of the boats in the yard. This yard was one of the inspirations for my Surviving World Steamship
CD-ROM.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

Surviving World Steam Project
http://www.survivingworldsteam.com
Does anyone know for sure about the Astoria? I'm doing a painting of it right now, and god, I need to know it's history. Like how old? and how did it end up where it is? By the way , the area south of Mott's photos is quickly being developed & in jeopardy of a clean up - keep an eye on it if you are in the area. There's a huge townhouse development going up, and there's terrific old coal barges , all long the shore. In the 6 months i've been painting there it's really coming apart.
PS if you are going to either spot make sure you go at low tide - particularly for the Astoria -= you will see so much more.
I'd love to see this wreck every morning just to remember what life is about. Ok, I'm being weird now, but what the hell, I love this picture.
this is a cool ship i've never saw one before
Bill Murphy, email me at ahrensjim@hotmail.com and I can give you some information on the Astoria.
I love these photos and the opportunity for people to comment on the boats shown here. I had the opportunity to spend a day or two a week in the yard exploring the boats when they were a lot safer to be around. At this point you would be a fool to go on them. Even in the 70s I ended up with stitches and had an overworked guardian angel! The mud there is about 10 feet deep and if you fell into it you would never be seen again. Enjoy Motts pictures he has done us a real service talking and displaying these photos. Stay safe look at them and dream. One of the reasons these boats stay where they are is they are stuck in the mud, ever step in deep mud and have a hard trime pulling your foot out, these boats, and you if you fell in are held by the same force. The steel boats would probably collapse without warning and take you with them. I dont mean to scare you but the truth of the matter is there is a lot of danger in these wrecks. Enjoy the great photos and stay safe. Respectfully, Jim <ahrensjim@hotmail.com>
Thanks for the reminder and for all the information on these boats Jim!
i think these old ships are totally amazing it makes you wonder what where the people going through and what it would be like to go on a ship like that it would be my dream to go aboard the titanic or even just be close and see it for myself
looks safe enough to walk on. If i could rent a boat i would explore it.
Okay... I have finally gathered the dutch courage to venture into this gallery... I have to warn you though I am a little under the influence... the only way I could possible even consider in my sane my entering this place... but Opacity is all quiet seeing as its 1:42am NZ time... IMG ITS 1:42AM.... okay.... you people have to appreciate how much of an effort this is for me... Im a boatapobe, if there is such a word, an my bestest friend ever Yem is here beside me laughing at how bad my grammer is here, so I apologise in advance....
...um and now the red wine is gone we have to approach the vodka... am I allowed to post a disclaimer disclaiming myself from any comments here on in that I post? Please? Dont hate me.
The boat does not look creepy to me. It just looks like an old sinking boat. It looks like it used to be a nice boat. It is to bad it is sinking.
I have always been intrerested in exploring old
abandoned places. I think old abandoned places are cool. I am also writing a story and I
could use the stuff i see in pictures of old abandoned places.
This is one of my favorite pictures because the picture is a really good picture and the ship is still in one piece and does not look like it is falling appart. It just has alot of rust on it.
MOTTS - not sure where to leave this comment but i thougth under staten island would be accurate, there are several locations on staten island u may want to investigate. i have alot ofinformation on these locations. And a few images, contact me at Dv1nemissm@aol.com for the names and info if you are interested. thanx - melissa
the red color rilly rilly pritty
Heave ho my lads! Tote that barge! Lift that pail! Raise the yardarm!! Aye matey, we'll have ye walk the plank if'n ye don't pull yer weight!!
Cool site. Love old stuff. My Dad was a sailor.
I think it would be cool to check out the Staten Island Boat Graveyard. I know it would be risky exploring the boat Graveyard But i would explore it if I could. I like boats alot. I also like watching movies that have boats that sink in them. I like being on boats to. I want to own my own boat sometime. Alot of the boats in the Staten Island Boat Graveyard probably have alot of history to them.
great photos i am wheelchair bound so this is the only way i can experience sites like this .This is how i travel all around the world.So for people like me keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for those photos!!! I just love abandoned buildings, half-sunk ships... although part-sunk-stuff scares the h**l out of me... I'm kinda glad to hear that's not only my prob...
Adi-C, I agree. Old buildings such as the ones shown and anything that's abandoned, whether nautical, hospital, recreation, etc. It all fascinates me.
This whole "Wrecked" galerie makes me creng i mean the are great shots and photographs. They just make me uneasy and the photo make the hairs on my back stand up. I guess because i know many ppl lost there lives on these ships and the water prolly has all sorts of unknown things/creatures in them! How did they all seem to wreck in the same area? Someone plz tell me
these photos are really cool to me because i like seeing abandoned places. I have seen more disturbing photos then these. It does make me wounder what is living in those boats. I think the boat graveyard used to be a business of some sort that went bankrupt and then got abandoned. that might be one reason whay they all ended up like they are in the same area but it is kinda weird and creepy. it is like something you would see in a horror movie where something kills everyone in one location and i have seen plenty of horror movies to know that. It is kinda cool though.
thank you for your art and your talent. and thank you for sharing. Make a calendar out of these and I'll buy them .
this guy is an excellent photo taker should make a living out of it! :)
Easy to dock my bass boat,long dark hulls
to hide in and I can fish off the back.I like
this one.Im moving into it next week.Now
my dream of being a ship wrecked castaway
will come true....
i am on a psp right now so it takes forever to type anything.i would like to go fishing with you off the back of the boat just as long as you bring the food.
living near the coast of north carolina and the graveyard of the atlantic your phots just intrigue me even more about abadoned and wrecked ships and boats
OK, I'm both fascinated and freaked out about this gallery. I also have some weird phobia of abondoned boats/ships in the water. Not sure why....but I'm going to check the gallery out. Heck, if Motss took these, how bad could they be? :-)
Ooops, typo, I meant Motts...SO sorry....
Speaking of Mary Murray, the Admiral from St Louis was built in the 1930s-40s and had a similar "futuristic" rounded look. This part of the site also reminds me of a steamer unearthed near the Mississippi in MO as the water flow pattern changed.
ohkay.. the people thtt think its flippin beast for ship wrecks to happen.. are well flippin BEAST.. since most of you boring adaults dont knoww whtt tht means it meanss cool.. haha :) byee red. :( sadd time
yeah ok amazin school gril, like whatever that meant like yeah ok, WTF??? I think the pic is awesome so yeah like whatever! LOL!!
(tongue in cheek, of course, LOL!!)
It's ashame to see all these ships sitting around and rotting although on the other hand it's pretty cool!!!
i do beleave red is gone. I cant locate her
Tug Bloxom is still there, went to see how much damage was done by superstorm Sandy and it is still there.

Comments pertaining to real location names, methods of entering the property, promotions or advertisements, off-topic discussion and general flaming, as well as those submitted under various aliases are subject to immediate deletion and your ip address being banned from this website. By submitting your comment you agree to these terms. Visit the forum for off-topic and general discussion. To prevent your comment from being removed and to help keep this site uncluttered, please read more about comments on opacity.

Memories and stories from past employees, visitors or patients are gratefully welcomed, they help keep these places alive!

Please answer this security question to help our efforts to fight automated advertising and SPAM. Apologies for the inconvenience.
Question: What is the current year? (four digits)
 
  Staten Island Boat Graveyard | Wrecks Next photo