Barge Govenor Hendricks; Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk, Virginia | 1987-Jun-05

Initial Notification: On May 30, 1987, the barge Governor Hendricks, containing an estimated 300 gallons of a heavy black, bunker C-like oil was taken to the NORSHIPCO shipyard to assess whether it could be made seaworthy for trade. While in a dry dock, temporary measures were taken to plug some of the more prominent deck holes. When refloated, the barge sank in a dry dock in about 30 feet of water. The vessel began leaking and was boomed. A considerable portion of the boomed product escaped downstream in the eastern branch of the Elizabeth River, and the adjacent shoreline became oiled. USCG district 5.