River Rat Recorder

Fragments of the Industrial Age

Nineteenth-century gravestones from the former Monument Cemetery are being used as rip rap at the base of the Betsy Ross Bridge. 

A World War One era ferrocement canal barge now serving as a bulkhead on the Neshaminy Creek. 
A World War One era ferrocement canal barge now serving as a bulkhead on the Neshaminy Creek. 
According the the American Canal Society barge 117 was built in Ithaca, NY.
According the the American Canal Society barge 117 was built in Ithaca, NY. No doubt she landed on the Neshaminy when the Delaware and Raritan Canal was still a going concern.
The original Delaware and Raritan Canal's entrance to the Delaware River by way of Crosswicks Creek.
The original Delaware and Raritan Canal's entrance to the Delaware River by way of Crosswicks Creek.
The north end of what was once the Centerdon Pike Bridge.
The north end of what was once the Centerdon Pike Bridge.
The south end of the former Centerdon Bridge Pike across the Rancocas Creek
The south end of the former Centerdon Bridge Pike across the Rancocas Creek
 A sheet metal shed on the Petty Island Back Channel that no one has summoned the ambition to tear down.
 A sheet metal shed on the Petty Island Back Channel that no one has summoned the ambition to tear down. Hopefully no one will.
What's left of Andrew McNeil's 1890's mansion.
What's left of Andrew McNeil's 1890's mansion. Andrew was the owner of the adjacent US Pipe and Foundry plant.
Vacant buildings of the US Pipe and Foundry plant in Burlington, New Jersey. 
Vacant buildings of the US Pipe and Foundry plant in Burlington, New Jersey. 
 A conveyor system at the former Kaiser Gypsum Company in Delanco, New Jersey.
 A conveyor system at the former Kaiser Gypsum Company in Delanco, New Jersey.
The ship that became a pier and then a planter at Northern Metals in Northeast Philadelphia.
The ship that became a pier and then a planter at Northern Metals in Northeast Philadelphia.
This ship was a tanker that served right at the center of things in both World Wars before landing in Philadelphia.
An abandoned crane between the CSX railroad tracks and the Schuylkill River in South Philadelphia.
An abandoned crane between the CSX railroad tracks and the Schuylkill River in South Philadelphia.
Bones of the Three Sisters Shipwrecks near pier 78 in South
Bones of the Three Sisters Shipwrecks near pier 78 in South Philadelphia.
Abandoned in the 1930's and burned in the 1940's the Three Sisters persist.
Abandoned in the 1930's and burned in the 1940's the Three Sisters persist.
A disused railroad swing bridge balanced in the center of the Christina River.
A disused railroad swing bridge balanced in the center of the Christina River.
An abandoned barge in the mouth of Big Timber Creek.
An abandoned barge in the mouth of Big Timber Creek.
The riveted construction indicates it was built before WWII.
The riveted construction indicates this vessel was built before WWII.
A bridge across a tributary of Woodbury Creek.
A bridge across a tributary of Woodbury Creek.
Grafitti Pier, once the southern end of the largest coal shipping facility in the world.
Grafitti Pier, once the southern end of the largest coal shipping facility in the world.

It is fitting to end with the best-known industrial ruin in Philadelphia, known not just because of the genre of art practiced there but also because the end section recently collapsed into the river. That part of the structure had been structurally precarious for many years before it finally gave way. This breakdown appeared in all the major local news outlets; fortunately, it occurred in the early morning hours when no fishermen or spray can Michelangelos were out and about. These industrial ruins are as dangerous as any in the “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” but any treasure, beyond aesthetics, was sucked out of them a long time ago.