AH-WR-1833

Thelma

Fishing Seiner · United States · Lost 1927 · Chesapeake Bay

Anchored near Old Point Comfort in heavy fog, a Gloucester mackerel seiner sank after a railroad barge struck her; her crew was rescued.

Become Captain of Record

Artistic recreation based on recorded historical documents.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

Thelma was launched at Essex, Massachusetts, in 1913 as a seventy-foot auxiliary mackerel seiner. Owned and commanded by Martin L. Welch, she worked from Gloucester. Early on April 2, 1927, she lay anchored near Old Point Comfort after entering harbor in heavy fog. A railroad barge struck her, parting the anchor chain and driving her into deeper water, where she sank. The towing tug rescued everyone aboard, with one injury reported.

Vessel

Built: 1913
Builder: Not established
Yard: Essex, Massachusetts
Material: Not established
Length: 70 ft
Beam: Not established
Tonnage: 53 gross tons; 25 net tons
Propulsion: Auxiliary engine, 60 horsepower
Owners: Captain Martin L. Welch

Loss

Date: April 2, 1927
Cause: Collision
Location: Near Old Point Comfort, Norfolk harbor approaches, Virginia
Water: Chesapeake Bay
Voyage: Not established
Cargo: Not established
Aboard: Not established
Lives lost: 0
Master: Martin L. Welch

The Wreck Today

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

Position

Coordinates: Not established
Accuracy: Position not established
Nearest: Old Point Comfort, Virginia
Region: Chesapeake Bay

Documented lower Chesapeake harbor approach fits existing region. Reported ten-fathom sinking depth not treated as a modern surveyed wreck position or depth.

Evidence

Overall confidence: Documented (80/100)

Hull material, builder, exact wreck position, present depth and condition are not established in the source reviewed.

R. Sheedy — Down to Sea, The Thelma (report dated April 4, 1927)
Full privately transcribed historical report read:1913 Essex launch,70ft,53gross/25net tons,60hp auxiliary engine,Welch owner/captain,early preceding Saturday collision near Old Point Comfort,barge rather than tug impact,all crew rescued and Brennan injury. Original newspaper title/scan not verified.