January 5th, 2014 by Piper Smith
The types of cargo that wreckers salvaged varied greatly, but cotton was by far the most valuable bulk cargo. In fact, a bale of cotton could be worth 50 to 60 dollars in South Carolina! Taking cotton from wrecks was a difficult business! Why? Because a waterlogged bale of cotton could weigh more than half a ton! Modern salvage operations have uncovered unusual cargo like fossils and locomotives.
Picture caption: These cotton bales were huge! Can you imagine trying to salvage them in rough water during a storm?
