Capt. Dan Berg's Wreck Valley Collection   

CHESTER A POLING

The steel hulled coastal oil tanker Chester A. Poling was built in Staten Island in 1934. She was 281.4 feet long had a 40 foot beam and was originally named the Plattsburg Socony. She was latter renamed Mobil Albany and then in 1956 Chester Poling. On January 11, 1977while maneuvering in 30 foot seas the Chester Poling was pounded so violently that she split in two. A Coast Guard helicopter and a 95 foot cutter rescued all except one of the Polling's crew. The poling stern section remained adrift and sunk just off the Gloucester breakwater in 90 feet of water. Her bow went down in 190 feet of water. Since her sinking storms have moved her stern section into deeper water, about 93 feet. The stern now sits intact and upright. The bow section of the wreck was only located in 1989 with a side scan sonar. The bow sits offshore in 185 feet of water. Remember penetration into any shipwreck should only be done by those with proper training, experience and wreck diving equipment. Scuba equipment like powerful dive lights, navigation reels, dive knives as well as redundant air supply like a pony bottle or doubles are standard gear for wreck divers. Capt Eric Takakjian reports that the bow sits upside down and is covered with silt. He also reports nets draped across the wreck, bad visibility and cold water. Basically, not the best dive conditions.    

Bill Carter Collection	Bill Carter Collection	Bill Carter Collection

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Copyright Capt. Dan Berg / Aqua Explorers Inc

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