Deep Sea Detectives

[OBXDIVEGUY]

The near shore wreck is about 60-90' and the offshore wreck is 125-140' deep. Both are great dives with great marine growth on the ships and plenty of different fish. The offshore wreck is nearly completly in tact, except all of the port lights have already been looted out. No telling what else is missing. The nearshore wreck's superstructure was torn off in the last few years, but still, very much together. They both have the anti-sub guns and there are even a few depth charges in the racks still. Viz range is usually 30-80'. The deep one is cold, when we went out, it was 47 F. A bit of a brain freeze but I didn't even notice it because I was so excited.

Attached is the original press release sent out by the CG about the disasters in 1944:
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/tande/WSC/wsc142-pr.html

 

[MEL-DC Diver]

Yes, Andy, you are right. I just find it funny that guys that are well known to clean out wrecks (I am not implying they did so illegally) are now charged with raising awareness to not loot these particular ships.

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

As opposed to what? Having seawater and the gulf stream currents destroy the wrecks? Its not like those ships are going to somehow forever be preserved, its the friggin' Atlantic Ocean fergawdzsakes!

If there is something worth salvaging on those boats then salvage it. If they need to be preserved them raise them and put them in museum (but hopefully without raiding public tax money).

My two cents...

Your two cents is extremely illegal. Government ships are protected under federal regulations maintaining that anything on the ships are still property of the Government. This applies to foreign and domestic vessels. If you are caught with federal artifacts, well, you know that saying "make a federal case out of it..." Its not just a saying.

 

[MEL-DC Diver]

Wrecks, preservation vs. looting, Kohler and Chatterton... How much can we stir the pot?! No doubt this is what you intended when you started this thread, OBXDIVEGUY ;-) I love it! Keep it going!

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

Yes, Andy, you are right. I just find it funny that guys that are well known to clean out wrecks (I am not implying they did so illegally) are now charged with raising awareness to not loot these particular ships.

I haven't heard that reputation, but then I have to admit, I don't know that much about them.

All I know, is on the dives we did, they were adamant about not touching anything. Several times they mentioned they would not bring anything to the surface or disturb anything. They were extremely respectful of wartime grave status of the wrecks.

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

Wrecks, preservation vs. looting, Kohler and Chatterton... How much can we stir the pot?! No doubt this is what you intended when you started this thread, OBXDIVEGUY ;-) I love it! Keep it going!

Honestly, no I did not mean to stir the pot, but I'll roll with it.

 

[MEL-DC Diver]

I haven't heard that reputation, but then I have to admit, I don't know that much about them.

All I know, is on the dives we did, they were adamant about not touching anything. Several times they mentioned they would not bring anything to the surface or disturb anything. They were extremely respectful of wartime grave status of the wrecks.

Nah, that's true. From what I've read, these guys are very respectful of war graves. Earlier I was referring to the massive tonnage they hauled from the Andrea Doria and the like.

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

Nah, that's true. From what I've read, these guys are very respectful of war graves. Earlier I was referring to the massive tonnage they hauled from the Andrea Doria and the like.

That may be, I don't know much about it. But then, the Andrea Doria is not protected as far as I know. anyone can knock themselves out on that one for all I care.

 

[Rec Diver]

Congradulations to you! That surely was a once in a life time experience!

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

Congradulations to you! That surely was a once in a life time experience!

Thanks! I thought so, but hopefully I'll do it again someday... ya never know.