Sinking of the Carol Wales and Big Boy

As a photographer, I come upon different projects by various means. This is a tale of one of those projects, how it started and what I learned as it progressed.

11/12/05

Over the years I've traveled the back roads in search of enjoyable images. In November of 2005 I came upon two old tugboats rafted together at Girard Point’s Pier 1. Having found an interesting spot I would from time to time stop back for another image. Over the years I watched as the seasons changed and other vessels have come and gone. I've tried different approaches, different lenses and different lighting conditions.

7/26/08

On the morning of July 26, 2008 I again had the opportunity to photograph these two vessels. After reviewing the results of that morning’s shoot I was not happy and decided to return to correct my mistakes. Imagine my surprise when on the afternoon of July 28th I returned to the site to find both tugboats on the bottom.

This discovery started for me an interest in learning more about these tugboats. The tugboats are “Carol Wales” and “Big Boy”. The details surround these tugs are clouded in time and of course nobody really wants to take responsibility for this incident. Here is what I’ve learned.

7/26/08

“Carol Wales” aka “Scooby Doo”

Possible owner Hays Tug and Launch Company, Chester, PA*

Built in 1953 at RTC Shipbuilding, Camden, New Jersey as yard number 219 for the Big Mama Tugboat Company as “Walter L. Price” (266173)

104.2 ft. length
26.1 ft. breadth
199 gross tons

7/26/08

“Big Boy”

It has been reported that this boat is owned by the D and L Tugboat Company.*

Built 1938 at the Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA

93.6 ft. length
25 ft. breadth
195.0 gross tons
133. Net tons

*Please Note: This information is only what was reported at the time and should be considered suspect until more facts come to light.

According to the USCG

Both vessels sank July 28, 2008 – Pier 1 at Girard Point, Schuylkill River, Philadelphia, PA.

Report of the sinking was made by a landfill truck driver at 5:30 AM.

Possible spill may have included up to approx. 5000 gallons of fuel oil. Floating booms were in place within 3 hours of the reported sinking. The spill was contained and damage to the surrounding area was kept to a minimum.

8/12/08

In order to stop any further spillage from the tugs it was decided that they should be raised as soon as possible. With the use of a 1000 ton crane Donjon Marine Co., Inc. raised both tugs on or about August 9, 2008. Once the tugs were standing on the pier approx. 7000 gallons of fuel oil was recovered.

The USCG also reported that the owner supposedly had the tugs pumped off in 2004 but the owner could provide no documentation.

There remain many questions about this incident.

Do the fuel quantities match?

Who really owns the tugs?

What for that matter caused the sinking?

Since there is a civil penalty case in the amount of $455,000.00 pending it may be a long time before these questions are answered and made public.

7/28/08

Here is my take on the cause.

I suspect (opinion only) that somebody was pulling scrap from “Big Boy” and opened her hull to the sea. As “Big Boy” took on water she pulled the “Carol Wales” (aka “Scooby Doo”) down causing the “Carol Wales” to roll to starboard onto “Big Boy” thus causing them both to go down.

As you can see the day before the sinking they both looked sound. We did have heavy weather that night (with maximum sustained wind 26.0 mph, maximum gust of 40.28 mph) which didn't help, but I don't think the weather by itself would have been enough in such a sheltered area to take these tugs down. Remember these tugs sat rafted together at this pier for over 6 years. If it had been caused by the weather the “Carol Wales” would've taken the weather and gone down first.

I look forward to your comments and any additional information you would like to share.