Nebula Wreck – Abrolhos
One of the last discoveries in Abrolhos is known by Nebula. But we know very little about it so far.
Besides its mistery, we need to know if it’s really the Nebula steamboat from the Carioca Sailing Company.
Research:
Two years ago, there were rumors about a new wreck in Abrolhos. Those information were confusing because they coincided with the period of Guadiana discovery. No identification at that time.
The first safe information was given by Marcelo Polato, who used to make expeditions on new wrecks, besides other searches in the region.
During the diving were found carved pieces with the name NEBULA in it and the symbol of a star. The same symbol that M identified in the fallen chimney besides the steamboat.
In october 2004, I was in Prado BA, with Narwhal Team. However, due to the bad weather, we couldn’t dive in this wreck.
Typical reefs from the surface of Wall Parcels.
Based on Marcelo’s notes, we started researching about the history of Nebula ship.
The researches indicate that there was a Carioca Sailing Company with two ships: the Comet and the Nebula and their symbol were a star. In a certain moment of the 19th century, the Nebula disappeared from the news. At the same period, the company changed its partners and sooner, another steamboat named Santelmo came up.
The photos given in by M P show in the china the symbol of the sailing company with the star and in a silver kettle the carved name Nebula in it.
Because of the lack of news about Nebula sinking, or another travel announcement, by 3 years of the last announcement, we didn’t know if it had really sunk or whether is was sold after Santelmo incorporation because of financial distribution among the partners. The china aboard, being from a little company, could be remained with the old name.
Meanwhile, we are in doubt about the real destiny of this ship and which one is stuck in the bottom and almost linked into the walls of the parcels. Everything indicates to be the real Nebula, as Polato discovered, however we couldn’t confirm the wreck yet.
Background:
For a while, we only know we’re talking about a mixed steamboat (steam and sails). The steam and sails were already found, besides the engines, the supports of the mast with a malagueta system used to fix the cables in the sails were also found.
The crash with the walls of the parcels happened in a route northward. The violent crash divided the bow into two.
System of malaguetas in the masts.
Abandoned in the region for many years, that ship was covered by meia-naus till the bow by reefs from the parcels of walls, making the wreck identification very difficult.
BASIC DATA
Name of the ship: Nebula (depending on confirmation)
Date of sinking: 18..
LOCALIZATION
Place: Parcel of Walls – Abrolhos
STATE: BA.
Country: Brazi
Position: Reefs of Walls – Abrolhos
Latitude: 17° 53. 748’ south
Longitude: 038° 58.395’ West
Minimum deepness: 4 meters
Maximum deepness: 12 meters
CURRENT CONDITIONS: half-intact
TECHNICAL DATA
Nationality: Brazilian (depending on confirmation)
Armer: Carioca Sailing Company (depending on confirmation)
Length: 73 meters
Mouth : – Dslocation: 718 (depending on confirmation)
Type of boat: Cargo boat
Material of the hull: Steel
Power: mixed (sail / steam)
Cargo: – REASON OF SINKING: Crash
DESCRIPTION:
the ship is well placed at the bottom of the sea. The stern is about 13 meters deep and the structure of the hull is intact till the front of the meia-nau cabin. After that, the hull is totally broken and mixed into the wallreefs. The bow is separated from the rest of the ship, 10 meters distant and fallen port side, reaching about 5 meters deep.
The bow fallen to starboard side.
There is a rudder in the Stern, but there aren’t propellers and axles. They might be taken out. In the mirror of stern there is part of the wheel of the rudder, two heads of fastening and good part of the walls.
There isn’t a deck that might have been a wood one. Its structure is collapsed. Some turks hold the edges.
Stairs in the engine room.
We find in the ship, one of the most complete engine rooms of the wrecks in Brazil. We can see two spare propellers, two steam engines of four cylinders and their axles. In a higher level, we can find the caldron with its smoke collectors and fans. At both sides of the caldron, we can reach the bow.
Beside the hull at the meia-nau bottom, we can find the chimney, where we can see the symbol of a star.
The wreck is covered by reefs.
In the cabin (taken out from the croquis) there are two little compartments. One of them is the kitchen. By the front of the cabin, the deck is all destroyed, covered by reefs and the port side is linked to the wallreefs. It’s impossible to identify any other part of the ship. At starboard side there is a hall between the wrecks and the hull that follows to the beginning of the bow castle, where the ship is completely destroyed.
The bow is about 10 meters ahead and fallen port side. A current comes out of the edge of the bow and turns round the front wallreef.
By: Maurício de Carvalho / www.naufragiosdobrasil.com.br
