Long Beach Dive Site; Tammy, the shipwreck formerly known as the African Queen

[MaxBottomtime]

On July 11, 1994, the fishing vessel Tammy sank, taking the lives of the four men onboard. Two of the bodies were never recovered and the wreck was not found, but Gary Fabian and Steve Lawson believe it is likely the wreck known by most as the African Queen.

Resting on its port side in over eighty feet, the wreck is just over three miles south of the Long Beach Breakwater. It is often covered with nets, but the Ocean Defenders Alliance had done a great job removing them.

There are at least three wolf eels living in the rusting hull. A pair always seems to be in a hole just behind the large propeller. Giant metridiums give the wreck an eerie glow as you descend toward it. Fish-eating anemones in the sand surround the ship. Squid often cover the area in a carpet of egg capsules.

33° 40.245N 118° 10.617W

• Tammy

 

[paowdan]

Appreciate your posts! Looking forward to the next 3 about the other sites on your map between the breakwall and the Tammy. =)

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I want to get some photos from the Johanna Smith. I've dived it a couple of times, but not with a camera. The Georgia Strait is a low pile of nets. I've dived it three times and never found much of the wreck.

 

[Jake]

Great post. Thank you. Out of curiosity, how large would you estimate the Tammy to be?

 

[Ojai Diver]

Great pictures as always!

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Great post. Thank you. Out of curiosity, how large would you estimate the Tammy to be?

It's a forty-foot steel fishing boat. The first time I dived it there were still portholes and a lot of bones and skulls from the sea lions that were caught in the nets.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Update. The propeller and wolf eels are gone.
Tammy (African Queen) Dive Report