Depth Charge 2000 Balaena I

The Balaena is a large, unidentified wooden sailing ship in 160 feet of water in the New Jersey Mud Hole. Years ago the late George Hoffman controversially recovered the bell with the name "Balaena" (meaning "whale") on it. However, none of the ships researched bearing this name matched the size or description of the wreck. The wreck does appear as though it may be the remains of an old whaling ship. Today it is like a huge, wooden bathtub on the bottom of the ocean, as the wooden decks have deteriorated and collapsed, and mostly just the hull is intact. Broken masts lay around the wreck.

The following pictures (all images from video) are from the voyage of the Depth Charge to the Balaena, Saturday, September 30, 2000.

Billy pilots the Depth Charge out of Manasquan Inlet. The Balaena is a relatively short ride away.
	One indication that you're in the Mud Hole is passing shipping traffic all day long.
I pass Joe "Julio" Mazraani on my way down to the wreck.
	A close-up of colorful anemones and coldwater sponge (the yellow stuff below the anemones) on a broken mast.
Looking up at the remains of the mast.
	This is the donkey boiler, a small boiler used to power the windlass, a piece of machinery on the bow used to raise the anchor.
A view of the donkey boiler from further away.
	The pile of rubble underneath the donkey boiler (which is at the top of the picture).
Bill Cleary descends down the anchor line to do his dive.
	I look up at the Depth Charge above while I decompress.