The Circassian Shipwreck
New York and New Jersey's (Wreck Valley)
Historical and current New York and New Jersey Shipwreck Information and images for scuba
divers and fisherman.
CIRCASSIAN
The Circassian was originally an iron steamer displacing 1558 tons.
She was built in Belfast, Ireland, was 254 feet long and had a 39
foot beam. The story involving the Circassian shipwreck is in
reality a story about two shipwrecks. Or the story of one crew being
shipwrecked twice.
The Bark Heath Park manned by a twelve man crew was under the
command or Captain Smith. Sheen countered rough weather from the
beginning of her voyage and on the second day sprang a leak. The
Captain gave the orders to make for the closest land. The crew of
the Heath Park started to throw her cargo into the sea in an effort
to lighten the sinking ship. Finally on the third day the Circassian
saw her distress flag and picked up her crew before the weathered
Heath Park slipped beneath the waves. The Circassian. According to
the New York Times report of the accident. " Several days after the
rescue, while the Circassian was nearing the end of her journey, she
encountered the heavy gale of Saturday night. Night rapidly came on,
accompanied by a heavy snow squall, which rendered it impossible to
see more then the length of the vessel. The Captain in order to
ascertain their location, ordered the ship to be turned to the
windward and the lead heaved overboard. Just as the crew was about
to fling over the lead sounding weight, the ship suddenly struck on
the outer bar, opposite Bridgehampton, Long Island." Today this
wreck probably lies scattered or buried beneath Bridgehampton Bar.
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The Circassian was originally an iron steamer displacing 1558 tons.
She was built in Belfast, Ireland, was 254 feet long and had a 39
foot beam. The story involving the Circassian shipwreck is in
reality a story about two shipwrecks. Or the story of one crew being
shipwrecked twice. 