Further information was revealed during an interesting
phone call today. The other party took part in the
salvage operation. He described the condition of the boat before and during the operation. He also described the sea state at the time of
salvage plus briefly the days between initial grounding and salvage.
By the time the operation had begun (Tuesday, not Wednesday as stated previously) the boat had suffered additional damage which was quite extensive. Most notable was a 'washing machine-sized' hole just abaft the beam on stbd below the waterline. Also, there were many deep gouges below the waterline and the
keel had suffered what appeared many point impacts with large boulders. The
keel was deeply crazed.
He was one of several who entered the hull to shovel out tons of sand to prepare for the crane
lift. He noticed bulkheads had shattered and/or separated from the hull.
There is more to it but basically the damage is as I had written previously. About the
lift, the combination of high tide and wave action had carried (bounced?) the hull right up against the bluff so the crane was able to extend the boom above the boat for a clean lift. From his observation from the debris field and overturned rocks it was his opinion the boat had initially rested beyond the reach of a crane boom.
He said he would send pictures to me. I am awaiting his permission to post those pictures.
DISCLAIMER: the above is written in my words. It is my intention not to falsely portray the words of another person. Any misunderstanding or confusion or apparent misleading is my sole responsibility.