The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Ships Sunk by the Georgiana: Norseman, Constance Ducimer, Mary Bowers

While on the subject of the blockade runner Georgiana, I saw that it's wreck had been responsible for sinking three other blockade runners.

NORSEMAN-- a three-masted, 49-197 ton screw blockade running steamer carrying a cargo of cotton and possibly gold. On May 19, 1863, it hit the Georgiana and sank in 8-12 feet of water in Maffitt's Channel off Long island (now Isle of Pines) near 39th Street. Any gold that was aboard was probably salvaged due to the shallow depth.

CONSTANCE DUCIMER-- A 140 ton, sidewheel blockade runner, 201.4 feet long and 20.5 beam carrying 29 crew coming in from Nova Scotia, possibly carrying gold. Hit the Georgiana October 6, 1864, and sank in 15-35 feet of water. The wreck has been located, but probably no treasure on it.

MARY BOWERS-- 226 feet side wheel steamer. Sank after hitting the Georgiana. A Federal boarding party removed the ship's bell and other items. The forward end of the starboard boiler is aligned with the starboard of the Georgiana. The Bowers' port boiler has rolled into the sand and is largely buried. The remains of the ship away from the Georgiana are relatively in tact. The sides of the forward cargo hold are still standing up from the bottom. The ship is heavily sanded in and about 18 feet deep.

The Blockade-Runner Georgiana, Sinker of Blockade Runners. --Old B-R'er