Graveyard

This one's in fantastic shape. I'd be walking those decks in a heartbeat were I here.

this vessel is a ww2 pc boat or subchasher. new version then the ww1 type. this is probably one of the last of it,s type in existance and should be salvaged and restored to it,s former glory.it initially had a 40mm cannon forward of the bridge or a 3 inch cannon. some actually had a 3 pounder ww1 type cannon on the fordeck /the wings just behind the bridge had two 50 caliber machine guns or some other equivalent weapon.pc boats were 125/150feet long. also carried a medium cannon astern with stern rack depth charges. many actually went across the atlantic to england in the early part of the war. a sorry fate for such a historic vessel.

Would say it is (was) a subchaser, as it appears to have a mostly wood hull. PCs and the similar PCERs has a fully-welded steel hull, but many similar features. What amazes me about this whole site is that surely these vessels had some scrap value. Considering that most New Yorkers would sell their mothers for three cents a pound, I wonder why they didn't peddle these things? Agree this vessel appears restorable, but cost would be far higher than most would imagine (been there -- done that. A New Yorker stole the T-shirt) The fact that even the logs and publications were left in place is almost surreal...

The photographer of all these needs to learn the first rule of taking pics: put the sun behind you so the light is on the subject! Most of these are too dark to see any real details. If you're going to fight the lighting, open up the lens and let the background wash out enough to get some detail in the foreground--or come back another day when the light is at the proper angle for taking decent photos with some detail showing!
Plus its dangerous to be giving people who have no common sense the idea of going out there and actually climbing onto this junk. Someone will get badly injured or killed very quickly! You need to think about how you'll feel if that happens, knowing the person might not have done it except that you gave him/her a public-posted idea that this is okey to be doing!

i suppose race car drivers should all quit their jobs too. not to mention that evil evel knievel! and to think that i admired his amazing feats! it's a wonder i'm alive today, huh?

no, motts is bringing to us something that would otherwise be unaccessable to most of us. i've seen much more dangerous stunts in "g" movies, in primetime tv, and even on commercials. even without the clear disclaimer it all comes down to personal responsibility, something that's grossly overlooked, and sometimes even blatantly ingored, in this day and age. it's up to the individual to either live responsibly or become a potential recipient of the darwin awards.

Carl, I bet you're a hoot at parties! Lighten up, like Angelwolf said, people do far more dangerous activities everyday than urban exploration. Isn't it all about measuring the risks, assessing the situation - in other words thinking for one's self? This nannying approach is seeping into every aspect of life and it bothers me, the idea that we shouldn't ever take a calculated risk, instead obeying every warning sign and piece of health advice from those who 'know better'.

And I like Motts' technique. It appeals to the Goth in me. Most of these subjects don't lend themselves to bright lighting. Atmosphere is every bit as important as detail. These images aren't intended to be scientific studies of dead items, they're meant to give the viewer a taste of being in the photographer's shoes, experiencing his feelings. That's my impression anyway... feel free to correct me :-)

That's why there is a disclaimer...
http://www.opacity.us/disclaimer/

That's also why the address of many locations aren't given.

I do understand your point. But Motts isn't implying that this is easy and safe...he has said on numerous occasions it is very dangerous.

But there are resigned to be some (ok, a lot) of idiots in this world without sense that would assume they could walk safely down a completley buckled hallway without any precautions.

Granted if Motts was taking pictures of a family on vacation or a wedding it would be more critical to do things like that. The way I see it Motts is less a photographer and more an artist who just uses photography as his media. Does that make sense to anyone? To film a decaying ship in perfect light to illuminate details it would look like a picture of a decaying ship, and not a piece of art that's meant to be more.

Photography is a form of art. Everyone has a different way of expressing it.

I am not a photographer, nor do I like being photographed. But, I have spent many an evening (not wasted), that I could have put into my studies (like NOW), that I have pored over as many of Motts' photos as I possibly could. The depth of his artistry, the way he makes a fireplace look beautifully out of place in a room that's falling down around it..well, I can't say much more than that. Carl, I am sure you are an excellent photograhpher, so if you could direct us to your website, so we can give you your 10,000+ compliments, I would appreciate it. AWESOME comments, Matt. There are many of us out here that echo your sentiment. Motts' work is Art.

Motts, I think the line "The photographer of all these needs to learn the first rule of taking pics..." was what led to all the attacks on Carl. It sounds a little condescending to me. Maybe we're just to sensitive. We are of the opinion that to attack you is to attack us....childish, I guess, defensive for sure... but, you know, you're Motts, the man, after all! You go where no man has gone before, you have been beamed up...you have created the website of art. You bring images to us, that we cannot acquire on our own!!!! And I have a pedestal with your name on it!!!!! It comes with its own light fixture/soap dispenser thingy.

I also disagree with Carl. The subject was dark. The photo renders it beautifully. The detail is more than sufficient. Whether it was the original lighting or use of the Photoshop 'Shadows' function, I think he got it right.

If I had my 'druthers, I'd shoot these ships near sunrise or sunset, for more dramatic light and less contrast, but I can't imagine a much better job being done given the time of day.

I'd love to get in here with a rowboat and a wide angle lens!

I agree Motts, at least Carls comments, while I don't agree with them, at least they are "constructive" criticism, not like Kevin Douglas's comments which were just an excuse to put sombody else down, I found a couple of other site's like yours before I found yours, and I don't visit them everyday for at least a couple of hours like I do yours!! Keep it up!!!

Up to a couple of months ago, we lived a couple of miles from the James River Ghost Fleet. It's just what it sounds like; a bunch of decomissioned ships going to rust. Every now and then, they'd get rid of one, or send one overseas for salvage (and then there'd be wrangling over whether they should do that or not). I always thought they should have cruises up to the fleet, close enough for touristy scaredy cats like me to take pictures and get that vicarious thrill. Sounds like they may finally be dismantling the fleet there. The closest I ever got to it was from the Jamestown ferry. Thanks for the views -- for having the nerve to get them for us!

As someone who's been to this site I can tell you, even on a sunny day, it's scary and often dark under the shadows of these beasts. There is creeking and echoes inside the ships and the constant sound of water hitting the sides of the vessels and washing up on shore. Mott's style fits these subjects well.

I don't see why anyone would bitch or complain about Motts photography.Almost every photo on this site evokes some sort of strong emotion in people and that is what art should do.

Wow, this one sure started some debate. I think the photography is just fine, but with all respect to the folks who were trying to identify this hulk as a subchaser and whatnot- here's the Real story. The ship is one of a series of wooden armed salvage tugs built in WWII on both the west and east coasts of the United States. The ATR vessels (Armed Tug Rescue) were powerful steam tugs designed to tow damaged battleships out of combat areas. One, the ATR 64, now named La Lumiere, is still afloat at Brittania Beach, just north of Vancouver BC, & efforts are being made to preserve the ship. There is another hulk ATR tug at Royston on Vancouver Island ,BC. and another abandoned in a harbour in southern Chile. Tons of pictures of these vessels on a site called NAFTS.com, dedicated to those who served in the fleet tugs in WWII. Anyways, they are built of Douglas fir with steel sheathing on the bow, with the tip of the bow angled back in so they can push on the much larger stricken vessels they were intended to assist.

Good Grief, people!!!! This is NOT Photography 101. The person who shot the pics did a great -- and seemingly thankless -- job bringing us something amazing to the point of being surreal. I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the site and wish to thank the photographer. Mark M's comments re this being a salvage tug may well be right on -- I do not currently have access to my 1944-45 Janes Fighting Ships copy to help. I initially guessed subchaser because of the wooden hull and the fact the ship does not especially resemble a minesweeper (other common wood-hull vessel). If it is steam powered, wonder if the steam plant is still there(?) Thanks again to the photog for fascinating stuff. The vocal critics should stick to flower arranging and learn to say "thank you."

I grew up on Staten island. My grandfather used to work in a ship yard when I was a kid so I was aware of these wrecks but this photographer does a great job of capturing the mood of the subject matter. Great job! The next time I am home I may take some photos of this site myself.

We are a wasteful species...

This is "HILA" the former USS ATR 89, A Rescue tug. Built North Bend OR. 10-1944. The pictures and site are great. There were two other ATRs at other end of yard, they were Meseck tugs after Navy service. That is the straight Skinny!

thank you, fb jim. Somehow, knowing their names and some of their history just makes these ships seem......different, somehow.

Hi Geekspeek, I use to roam the yard back in the 70s when the boats were easy to identify and there were a lot more of them. You could walk from the land to the far end of the yard just going boat to boat. The silt there is about 10 feet deep, if you ever fell in you would be a goner. I once pushed a plank into the mud and it went in about 10 feet before it hit any resistance. It was a very dangerous, but interesting place!

Fascinating history and commentary. This has turned out to be a very educational page!

You should see them from a small boat as a kid, you'd wonder where you were and what had happened here, I know I did in the 1960's

The historical side is brilliant. The techical commentarys wonderful..the ohotographs ,fantastic...and the criticism.unwarranted as these are a mans personal views..not finacially driven expose

What no-one has yet pulled Carl up on is the physics of this. It's been made clear, both in this discussion and in previous ones, that the water is very dirty and polluted, that it's very shallow, and that the silt is exceedingly dangerous. Thus, I imagine that there is a limit to the angles one can achieve in photographing these desolate wrecks. From some of the pictures, it looks like Motts was in a motorboat of some sort. I doubt it would be possible to manouever completely round each of these hulls to achieve what Carl believes is s decent shot. He seems to forget that this isn't on land, where the photographer can position his subjects to achieve the perfect shot.

For myself, I think the standard of photography is very high, especially given the subject matter, and the condition of the places Motts photographs. I agree with the others; Motts has an eye for photographing subjects that bring out an emotional response.

Let's put it this way, I'd have Motts take pictures for me anyday. I think Carl should go on a "pro" photographer's site and stay there. Motts' pictures are some of the most incredible I've ever seen!! Bet this Carl likes all this modern art junk, too.

Oh, and another thing, Motts really enjoys what he's doing , as I would, too, if I could do that. Just because you're not interested in something and someone else is, don't put them down for it. I'm so glad I found this web-site because it's everything I love to read and look at. I appreciate all the work Motts is doing and I can't wait to get on the computer every chance I get to view his WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL photography!

firstly what a great site every thing is spot on i have found the pictures slightly emotional to see once great vessels left forgotten....which i think is sad to say the least ... i know everyone is entitled to there own opinion but it seems unanimous carl your opinion was not only wrong in judgement but also not warented........tw-t....keep up the excellent work with this amount of global backing for your site you cant go wrong

its a lightship!

Lightship?? Hm... doesnt look like any american or english lightships Ive seen... I agree with the subhunter theory. Besides, lightships have two masts, one fore, one aft.

It looks like a lightship to me

should really be saved:(

Trust me, it is an ex Navy rescue tug, there were three of them in the yard. Aftrer Navy service this became a tug names HILA It was one of the better preserved boats in the yard.

The vessel above is PC-1264, her construction was completed in April of 1944, and decomissioned in March of 1948. South street seaport published this vessel's identity ib a issue of Steamboat Bill bacl in the 1990s

Carl The Anal Photographer should go bother somebody else with all his condescending jabber. 99% of most people hate those kind of people. Go take pictures at K-mart.

Hey, Carl The Anal Photographer: we are all grown up & don't need you to mommy us on what is safe & unsafe. These pictures are completely AWESOME. I'll bet Carl The Anal Photographer is going to go on some "holier than thou" crusade to stop people from exploring these wrecks. Better call your congressman because someone is actually enjoying their life!!!

It's a shame we have to point fingers and throw blame elsewhere , instead of taking responsability for our own actions . Carl , i used to ride bulls , am i suppose to feel guilty if any bull rider gets hurt ? Sorry to tell , i don't , everybody has their chooses to make , they are responsible for their own actions .Grow up and stop trying to throw blame elsewhere .
Motts , first time at your sight , awsome !
Pictures are excellant . Been by them many times (only able to see them from the cab of a truck ) , Really enjoyed it .

Jeff, Navy sub chasers were made of steel, this is a rescue tug, it it made of wood. The 1264 is in the yard but closer to shore. This was Hila formerly USS ATR 89. Auxillary Tug Rescue. There were 3 Rescue tugs in the yard. These were steam boats, the sub chasers were diesels.

People: I found that link with usefull information and 'early' pictures of the yard.
The fact about Wood made tugs is not really true. Argentinian Navy still has a few of these tugs in servcice today (In active service I mean) and they are diesel-powered and Steel made:

http://www.histarmar.c...ArmadaHoy/Sobral.htm

Hope this clarify things ;)

I forgot to add the pictures of the yard:

http://www.navsource.o...chives/12/011264.htm

a wood hulled boat with a steel capped nose looks like sub hunter or possibly a large sea tug with an ice rated hull, thats obviously old

That is an interesting combination of materials. The photo has excellent composition in terms of depth and contrast.

anyone know where i can find more information about this ship graveyard and or more pictures stuff like this is so interesting to me thanks

Mott's, i have to say i'm an 18 year old photographer myself, and your work is amazing, do you plan on coming to Australia at all? theres some abandoned places here that could be good.

I think theese boats are creepy. But it's way cool...

On restoring it... have you ever tried to maintain even a small wood boat of say 10 tons at 35 feet. The reason it is dead is it rotted out and there was nothing to restore without a complete rebuild costing millions. And who is going to pay that for just another old military ship when there are dozens already restored that struggle to find funds to be kept up properly.

All good things come to an end in life. This site is a testament to this simple fact. So go out and live your life without forgetting we to will share the fate these fine old ships.

Those who live in the full knowledge of dying are indeed the ones who truly live.

I packing my belonging,which is not much,
other than 30ft bass boat and moving into
one of the resting ,rusting,wrecks.With my
food stamps ,disability check and mg42 I
will do good there.

Also when any of you visit me you bring me
cold beer ,understand...

I think it's a nice enough picture; there's a touch of melancholy, but I think that that isn't inappropriate, given the subject matter.
There's something sad, yet graceful, in seeing old sailors like this slowly fading away.