Need info on the "Steeple"

[27 sailfish]

I plan to dive on the steeple in the next few weeks.I'm trying to find out as much info before as I can.From most sources it appears to be a 25-27' sailboat that disappeared during a storm about 5 -6 years ago.

The way this thing is snagging up so many lures-I picture it as an upright sailboat with the rigging still intact.Cable -if it's SS takes forever to breakdown underwater.

If you know what it is or have any info-please drop me a B-mail.I'm looking forward to diving this mystery and getting your lures back .Be forewarned-most lures are worthless after about 3 weeks underwater . Skip

[uncljohn]

Skip-

Judging from my crappy Eagle Fishfinder, it does look like an upright sailboat (or the Eiffel Tower, whichever would be more likely to show up in the Severn). It runs from 29' up to about 12' and back down in a short distance. In fact, I wouldn't be suprised if it was an old boat at those docks where the Severn Inn is now and someone just pushed it out and sank it right off the docks. Its definately close enough.

Make sure you wear your Lindy gloves when you go down there! Don't want to get any tetinus!

And hey, only 2 weeks until our on-the-water meeting right across the river, so I think we should coordinate the effort. I can stand watch topside!

[27 sailfish]

Thanks-about confirms what the others tell me.Odd no one tried to bring it up.

If you guys can meet early-say 4 or 5 pm -we could have a recon meeting.

I'll have bolt cutters on the boat and I'll try to clear out the rigging that most likely is getting your lines/lures hung up. Skip

[lfreed]

I'll be there!

[goose70]

I think the sailboat theory is sound, but I've heard two others.

The first is that it's awkwardly piled concrete from the old drawbridge. If so, I'd think that this could be very dangerous to dive, but I'll let you be the judge. I also have a hard time giving much weight to this theory; why would they dump this concrete right on top of the new bridge piling foundation? That seems like a nightmare scenario for any structural engineer.

The second is that it's actually the remnants of the OLD, old bridge....a wooden (I think) structure that pre-dates the drawbridge (not the RR bridge, which as you know, is farther upriver).

[rem1224]

I'm surprised that someone hasn't explored the area with a side scanning sonar to see what the real story is. Wish I had one.....

[Big E]

I got no theories except that thing sucks. Please kick it a couple times for me while you are down there. Oh and check for an oyster bed in the area I've come up with a couple snagged oysters there before as well.

-Evans

[D A Kahler]

I'm confused, which side of the current bridge is the "steeple" on? My chart shows and oyster bed on the bay side of the bridge, out in front of the restaraunt.

[goose70]

I'm confused, which side of the current bridge is the "steeple" on? My chart shows and oyster bed on the bay side of the bridge, out in front of the restaraunt.

That's the right area, D.A. The steeple is very close to the bridge piling (can't recall the exact piling, but it's just about even with the end of the fishing pier, but on the Bay side).

[D A Kahler]

Ok, well that's the same area where I lost my anchor but I was about 50' off of the bridge.
I was a victim of the "Steeple" and didn't even know it.

I didn't see anything that looked like a "steeple" though. It appeared to rise sharply from ~25' to 12' but maintained that depth, heading parallel to the bridge toward the restartaunt. I assumed that it's piled rubble or debris from when the bridge was built. Now I can't wait to hear what Skip finds down there.