| 08-11-02 Tolten remaining anchor update: I searched around for the remaining bow anchor and found it, under the hull plates. The bow has collapsed now and is no longer recognizable as such. Perhaps the weight of the anchor pulled it over. But, the anchor is definitely still there for some adventurous diver. | |
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| The Tolten, aka Lotta, was a Chilean flagged freighter, 280' by 43'. She was torpedoed on March 13, 1942 by the U-404. Of the 28 crewman aboard there was only 1 survivor, who was thrown clear by the explosion. Today the Tolten rests in in approximately 95' of water. | |
| The Tolten's starboard side anchor was found some distance off the wreck still attached to her anchor chain. Over a period of three dive trips the anchor was cleared of chain and other debris and subsequently cut free. A single 1000-pound lift bag was used to float it. | |
| We towed it in at a speed of only 1.5 knots, any faster and the bag would deflate. As we approached the Manasquan ridge the effects of an imminent hurricane became noticeable as the sea had an increasing ground swell. We positioned the anchor just on the edge of the ridge, noted the coordinates and sunk it. | |
| It was a year to the day before we had a chance to recover our prize. It only took ten minutes to locate the anchor after marking the location with a buoy. The anchor was once again rigged with lift bags and we continued our tow to Manasquan Inlet. | |
| We towed the anchor to the clam docks and used a crane to remove it from the water. The estimated weight is 750 pounds. Currently the anchor rests at the end of the captain's driveway. The Blue & Gold Macaw in the picture, "Cagney", is almost 3 feet long. | |
