Built in 1919, the tanker Tamaulipas was sunk by the U-552 off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina in April, 1942. Two crew members died during the attack. Also known as the "Far Eastern Tanker" the wreck sits far south of Hatteras and far east of Morehead City, meaning it's rarely dived. Underwater visibility is usually spectacular due to its location in the Gulf Stream. Bottom temperatures are high 70s in the summer and fall.
Sitting upright on the bottom in two parts at 160 FT, the stern section of the 400+ FT wreck is massive, with large machinery strewn across the sand. Huge boilers and a steam engine sit at the stern. Although deteriorating, much of the wreck is still intact and easily penetrated.
The video shows the wreck in June, 2010, on an average day. The wreck had obviously not been dived recently when we visited, many of the fish and sharks swam right up to us almost begging to be petted.
Although a long trip, this is a "top 5" dive for North Carolina wrecks in the 100 to 200 FT range.
Here's the video:
[vimeo]12444151[/vimeo]
ENJOY!
Andy
Sitting upright on the bottom in two parts at 160 FT, the stern section of the 400+ FT wreck is massive, with large machinery strewn across the sand. Huge boilers and a steam engine sit at the stern. Although deteriorating, much of the wreck is still intact and easily penetrated.
The video shows the wreck in June, 2010, on an average day. The wreck had obviously not been dived recently when we visited, many of the fish and sharks swam right up to us almost begging to be petted.
Although a long trip, this is a "top 5" dive for North Carolina wrecks in the 100 to 200 FT range.
Here's the video:
[vimeo]12444151[/vimeo]
ENJOY!
Andy
