AH-WR-0482

Joseph C. Cuneo

Steamship · Norway · Lost 1919 · Delaware Bay & the Approaches

A Norwegian tramp steamer broke her anchor chains in an 80 mph gale and sank against the Lewes breakwater, her crew rescued from the stones by Coast Guardsmen.

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Artistic recreation based on recorded historical documents. See the documented evidence.

Interpretive Reconstruction, drawn to convey the vessel's era, type and general form. See the documented evidence.

The Vessel and Her Loss

The Norwegian steamer Joseph C. Cuneo was riding out an 80 mph gale in the Harbor of Refuge off Cape Henlopen and Lewes, Delaware, on March 28, 1919, when both her anchor chains parted. Driven into the breakwater stones, her hull was stove in and she sank quickly. The Lewes Coast Guard Station, aided by tugs and a pilot boat, rescued part of her crew and passengers from the wreck; the rest reached the beach safely on their own.

Vessel

Built: Not established
Builder: Not established
Yard: Not established
Material: Steel
Length: Not established
Beam: Not established
Tonnage: Not established
Propulsion: Steam
Owners: Not established

Loss

Date: March 28, 1919
Cause: Storm
Location: Harbor of Refuge, off Cape Henlopen and Lewes, Delaware
Water: Delaware Bay approaches
Voyage: Not established
Cargo: Not established
Aboard: Not established
Lives lost: Not established
Master: Jorkjend

The Wreck Today

Depth: Not established
Condition: Not established
Orientation: Not established
Discovered: Not established
Protection: Not established

Position

Coordinates: 38.82° N 75.11° W
Accuracy: General area only
Nearest: Lewes, Delaware
Region: Delaware Bay & the Approaches

General area only: coordinate of the Harbor of Refuge from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, marking the named place of loss recorded for this vessel, not a surveyed wreck position.