A2 WEDNESDAY, August 8, 2012

Cain Chamberlin/Cape May Star and Wave Above left, the crew of the RV Explorer during the dive to the SS Manhattan. From left to right are John Copeland, Brian Sullivan, Morgan Bodie, Bart Malone, Rusty Cassway, Bruce Leinen and Edward Christopher Zeme. Above center, Malone, Cassway, Bodie and Leinen show off the brass plaque made by Bodie, which they attached to the wreckage of the SS Manhattan, honoring Bodie’s great-great-great grandfather. Above right, Malone and Bodie go over the dive plan during the two-hour journey to the wreckage site. Deep Continued from page A1 this completely symbolic task.” According to Bodie, John Roach was “The structure clearly displayed the country, his competitors claimed he Before coming to Cape May, It took about two hours for an Irish-American immigrant who high level of Roach’s engineering and received the contract through his polit- Bodie had a brass plaque the RV Explorer to arrive at came to this country in 1832 a penniless industrial skills,” Bodie said. ical influence. made honoring his great- the site from Cape May, with 16-year-old kid, but later in life became Through the 1860s, Roach noticed a In 1884, democrat great-great grandfather and blue skies overhead and clear known as the “Father of American Iron trend in Great Britain, in which wooden was elected president and gave the famous shipyard the visibility in the water up to Shipbuilding.” Roach came to the U.S. ships were rapidly being replaced with Roach’s opponents a chance to destroy Manhattan came from (see approximately 30 feet. with no family, money the famous entrepre- sidebar, inset). Bodie and “We couldn’t have had a or formal education and neur and craftsman. the other divers secured the better day,” Cassway said. started out working in John Roach built a shipbuilding empire Cleveland’s Secretary plaque to the wreckage, which “These are the best condi- Howell Ironworks in of the Navy, William C. is scattered across roughly tions we’ve ever had diving Monmouth County. iron-hulled steamships. Roach believed Whitney, falsely claimed that the USS 300 feet of the ocean floor. the Manhattan.” Bodie said it was there Roach learned there would be a similar occurrence in Dolphin had structural deficiencies and “All of the RV Explorer Bodie had an idea in his every aspect of the ironworkers’ trade America. In 1871, he purchased the refused to pay for it or the other three crew gathered around and mind of what the wreckage as he labored his way up through the Reaney, Son and Archbold Shipyard ships. When it was found the ship was each had a part in placing would look like, but was eager ranks in the company and in 1852 on the Delaware River in Chester, Pa., in perfect working order, Whitney said the plaque, feeding the chain to get in the water and see it entered into a partnership with three and renamed it Roach & Son Shipyard. the contracts for the ships were invalid through the engine piping, for himself. other iron molders. They paid $4,700 Bodie said the shipyard was ultimately and again refused to pay. The lack of bolting the ends of the chain “The condition was just as for a bankrupt foundry in New York worth $3 million with its enormous size payment drove Roach into bankruptcy together and hammering the I expected – it was pretty City called . In 1853, and modernized machinery. It pro- while he battled cancer of the mouth at bolt ends down to assure that busted up at the bow and Roach purchased his partners’ shares duced a larger gross tonnage of ships the same time. the plaque doesn’t go away the coral had taken its toll in the foundry, as they didn’t share than its largest two competitors. Roach passed away on Jan. 10, 1887 anytime soon,” Bodie said. over the years,” Bodie said. the same eagerness and ambition to In 1883, Roach submitted the lowest believing he had lost everything he “The guys are an amazing “It was just amazing though. expand the company. bid on a contract to produce the first had worked so hard for. Bodie said team and it was great watch- They put a lot into these ships In 1859, his close friend, John Baker, four steel-hulled ships in the Navy. because of the financial strength of ing them come together for – it’s true craftsmanship. A lot a wealthy New York attorney, passed The vessels were known as the ABCD Roach’s shipyard and iron works, the away and left Roach a $70,000 trust ships because they were named the businesses were not lost, which led to fund. He used the funds to expand USS Atlanta, USS , USS Chicago his son, John Baker Roach, taking take Etna Iron Works, enabling him to bid and USS Dolphin. Bodie said although the reins until passing away in 1907. on a contract for the construction of the Roach was awarded the contract based While it existed, John Roach’s ship- Harlem River Bridge in 1860, which upon diligence in building the larg- yard produced over 175 ships – the SS was used for 30 years. est and most efficient shipyard in the Manhattan being one of them.

of it was still intact after all gear from the engine room. a ship show how much more able when a person who has these years.” Malone, who has been div- the shipwrecks mean to them some sort of connection to the Bodie dove down 90 feet to ing the wreck for decades, than just artifacts and sal- vessel tags along. the wreckage twice that day. gave Bodie an 1889 silver vageable items. They have a Bodie said he has made The plaque was attached on coin from the safe he found genuine respect for the ships shipwreck dives in the past, the first dive, and on the sec- in 1985, as well as a wooden and their history.” mostly in the Carolina region, ond, Bodie and his fellow div- deadeye used for attaching Bodie and the other divers but this particular one was by ers went looking for artifacts. rigging components to the have video footage from the far the most memorable. Bodie found a piece of an old Manhattan. Cassway gave dive, using their GoPro high- “I placed my hand on the plate from the kitchen, while Bodie a glass bottle he found definition cameras to exam- bow of the Manhattan, much Sullivan and Copeland came among the wreckage years ine the wreckage. Bodie said as I imagine John Roach to the surface with a brass before. he was happy to be able to did in 1879 before the ship “These guys love the things take footage of the experience slid down the greased skids AART’s they find on shipwrecks and home with him. from the John Roach and Son for them to part with these Malone, who has been div- Shipyard into the Delaware Cape May Taxi items is extremely hum- ing for much of his life, said River,” Bodie said. “Through www.capemaytaxi.com bling to me,” Bodie said. no matter how many times the bubbles of my regulator, We’re on your side “To devote so much of their he visits a wreckage site, it I assured him that he and shipwreck scavenging time to always makes the dive much his ships will be remembered CALL 898-RIDE commemorate the builder of more interesting and enjoy- fondly.” (898-7433) • safe and reliable •airports • All local communities •local and distance Unit •clean, comfortable •child safety seats Come Rain or Come Shine Continued from page A1 if council approves the Councilman Walt Craig move it would return the 1888 nominated, and council voted (free parking & great A/C, school back to its original to appoint attorney Victoria purpose – educating children. Roach to fill the township’s plus live piano music nightly) Public Defender position. Resident Ed Butler ques- tioned the authorization of a nearly $1.8 million bond ordi- nance to provide funds for road and drainage improve- ments in the township. Beck said the money was being authorized to maintain roads and take care of drainage problems, including outfall pipes. “You have to repair what you have,” Beck said. Voll said the money would be used “as needed,” but Butler cautioned against spending, saying the town- ship should not be “running up the credit card.” Butler said the township should look Dinner & Cocktails nightly from 5 p.m. for outside money, mean- Live Piano Music 5:30-10:30 ing grants, to fund road and drainage projects. (‘til 11:30 on Fridays and Saturdays) “We look to save money every way we can, we look Solo piano performers: at every possible grant,” Voll Wednesdays & Thursdays-Dean Schneider; said. Fridays & Saturdays-Lisa Tee & Matt Hayden He said the township has to provide roads and adequate Sundays and Mondays – Jon Pruitt; drainage for the residents, Tuesday is JAZZ NIGHT! 8/14 Barry Miles and the township financially – solo piano 5:30 to 8:30; then joined by Tim Lekan, is in very good shape. The township council autho- bass and Bob Shomo, drums 8:30-close rized payment of vouchers totaling $4,342,510.14. Early Bird/Night Owl Prix Fixe $17.95 Council also authorized the approval of a loan from the $16.95* Express Dinners--available all night! township’s revolving loan (*add $2 Saturday before 9 pm) fund for economic develop- Full Bar Free Onsite Parking Kids’ Menu ment for Cape Brewing

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