The Marine Electric

The Marine Electric was a coal-carrying vessel that was built in 1944 and then in 1962 refitted to about 607 feet long. The ship, carrying a crew of 34, sent a distress call on the 11th of February 1983 as weather conditions became hazardous and the ship began taking water. Once a rescue helicopter had arrived the vessel had already sank and the 34 crewmembers were found in the water. The wreck has broken into two main pieces that can be found in about 125 feet of water at about 37 52.896N 74 46.558W. It lies on a 20-fathom line roughly 30 miles to the east of Chincoteague Inlet. The wreck itself is hugely popular with divers and fisherman alike. One can see sea bass as well as shark and blue fin tuna at the site.