Merritt-Chapman Wrecking Company
company
The dominant American marine salvage firm of the era, and the contractor that floated the Italian ship Fortuna off the bar at Ocean City in December 1911. Its tugs I. J. Merritt and Rescue worked the wreck from 5 to 7 December with steam pumps put aboard, while the revenue cutter Onondaga stood by to prevent looting of the cargo after Ocean City men boarded the ship in a power boat and claimed her as abandoned. The company's agent dismissed the salvage claim, and the Fortuna proceeded to Philadelphia under her own power.
In the record
No dated facts cite Merritt-Chapman Wrecking Company yet — the record here is the summary above.