Hear Diver Share Shipwreck Saga In Barnegat

BARNEGAT, NJ — Many ships have sailed off the Jersey coast, and many have ended in a tragedy. Join historian and diver Dan Lieb as he tells the tale of one of the most unique, the 1884 sinking of a sleek cargo carrier that killed its entire crew, in a free program next month at the Ocean County Library Barnegat Branch.

“The Tragedy of the Schooner, John K. Shaw” is set for 7 p.m. on April 15.

The three-masted schooner’s demise drew notice throughout the country. Circumstances were murky but recovered remains fed rumors that another ship rammed the Shaw and left it to sink off the Deal coast, snuffing out the lives of its captain and his crew of six from Manasquan.

“Diver Dan” will offer a riveting recount of the events during and after that frosty February day. Lieb has led dozens of New Jersey marine historical expeditions during more than 30 years as a mapper of shipwrecks. He holds a Divemaster rating from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and has executed more than 2,300 dives since 1974. Lieb teaches methods of wreck site recording and research.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/OclBgtShaw to attend this free program sponsored by the Friends of the Barnegat Library.

The Friends are volunteers who support the Library through programs, fundraising and advocacy. New members are always welcome. Application forms are available at all Library branches and reading centers and on the OCL website.

For more information, stop by the OCL Barnegat Branch, 112 Burr St., call (609) 698-3331, or visit the Library’s online Calendar of Events.