 |
The
W.T. Coppedge |
|
The
W.T. Coppedge |
  |
| The W.T. Coppedge,
a 103-foot tug, was acquired by the Moran Towing Corporation in 1976 when Moran acquired
Florida Towing. Soon after, the Coppedge became a harbor service tug. In 1977,
it was no longer economically feasible to keep the Coppedge afloat. It's condition
was deteriorating and new technology was passing it by, so the Coppedge was dismantled and
set aside. In the 80's, Moran Towing was was approached by the Jacksonville Offshore
Sport Fishing Club (JOSFC) to consider donating the Coppedge as an artificial reef.
The JOSFC contacted the Jacksonville Reef Research Team to conduct a site survey for the
placement of an artificial reef in June of 1987. After all the paperwork was in
order, the title was transferred to the JOSFC. In June of 1988, Moran Towing donated their
services to tow the Coppedge to the site. Mr. Wiggins of Moran Towing, actually
opened the valves for the sinking. The Coppedge Reef (46065.7/ 61866.0) is located 22.3 miles ESE (110) of the Mayport jetties. The "W.T. Coppedge" is intact and. rests upright in 80 feet of water. Its surface is almost completely encrusted by barnacles, oysters, bryozoa, and hydroids. Large schools of baitish surround the wreck with predatory fish such as barracuda and cobia also present. There has been an abundance of bryozoan which look like flowers strewn all over the vessel. Fish identification observations at the Coppedge by the Jacksonville Reef Research Team includes species such as Angelfish, Barracuda, Cobia, Filefish, Grunts, Grouper, Jackknife fish, Manta rays, Spadefish, Black Sea bass, Snapper and Tangs. The Team. also noted an absence of amberjacks. Through the generosity of many people, the W.T. Coppedge, Jr. now lies to rest on the ocean bottom, but her usefulness to us has not ended there. She's now the home to many of our salt-water friends and game fish. Examples of underwater photos on the Coppedge follows: Click on the images below to view a larger image.
|
Contact Information
|
