Most famous wreck dives in the world?

[Guy Alcala]

You are testing my memory now, but I think they were:

- USS Saratoga (Bikini)
- USS Oriskany (Florida), which is an artificial reef
- HMS Hermes (Sri Lanka)
- Graf Zeppelin (Poland)

On the 'questionable' list are:

- HMS Hermes (English channel), which may or may not classify as an aircraft carrier
- HMS Dasher (Scotland), which may or may not classify as an aircraft carrier and may or may not class as diveable (it has been dived once, at 465 feet with about 3 feet of viz, and is a war grave)
- HMS Campania (Scotland), which may or may not classify as an aircraft carrier

Hermes (English channel) and Campania were both seaplane carriers, i.e. aircraft-carrying ships but not 'aircraft carriers' by the standard definition. Hermes had to hoist out a/c to/from the water for takeoff or landing; Campania had a takeoff deck but had to hoist seaplanes back aboard by crane; wheeled a/c had to ditch or land on shore.

Dasher (a CVE or escort carrier) was most definitely an aircraft carrier, and even the MAC (Merchant Aircraft Carrier) ships were, but not the CAM and Fighter Catapult ships, as the latter had to catapult a/c off but had no way to recover them.

The definition is pretty straightforward: an aircraft carrier is a ship which: allows conventional or short take-off, fixed wing a/c to take off from it and to land back aboard; can maintain and supply them for an extended period; this is its primary mission.

Guy

 

[sport.diving]

Hi divers,

Greetings from the East coast of Sri lanka (Batticaloa "The city of the singing fish" where the wreck HMS hermes has found her final resting place.

The season is just about to start. (the 3rd year) We are better equipped. The wreck hermes is quite new to the tec divers, Just less than 200 westerners have seen it. Strong currents, vis had been some days 40m Plus. Can you believe it ? Yes

Wreck HMS Hermes is the world's first purpose built air craft carrier. bombed by Admiral Nagumos men on the 9th of April 1942 off the East coast of Sri lanka.

Along with HMS Hermes the following ships were alos bombed and sunk. 58m
MFA Athelstane. Positively identified. 42m
Covett Holyhok. 45 m
British sergeant. Yet to bed Identified. 25m The wreck is in two parts. good penetrations.
Boiler wrecks in Batticaloa. Un identified.
Boiler wrecks in Kalkuda. Un identified.

Whilst diving the boiler wreck in Batticaloa I came across a brick. Made by EDMENTON BRICK FACTOR\Y OF ENGLAND.
The brick is hidden under one of the boilers.

Now the entire country is peaceful. No more war !!!!
Roads are better.

Certainly quite new !! The 3rd year. Ready to go.
Check srilanka-divingtours.com
sport.diving

 

[Bombay High]

HMS Hermes off Sri Lanka. The worlds first purpose built aircraft carrier, one of only two carriers that can be dived and the only one sunk in actual battle. Lots of history as it had served in the Royal Navy for a long time and had seen action in many parts of the world during WWII. A great account of its history, actual sinking and pictures taken during its final moments are included in a book called "Hermes Adventure" by Rex Morgan. The authors father served on the ship and took seven pictures while it sank after being hit by Japanese aircraft. If you read the book its hard to resist diving the Hermes.

Where in Lanka do you head out from to dive the Hermes ? What depth is it at ? How far off shore ?

 

[Kevrumbo]

Where in Lanka do you head out from to dive the Hermes ? What depth is it at ? How far off shore ?

Aircraft Carrier HMS Hermes Short History & Dive Report

 

[Nishan]

Wreck is off Batticaloa on the east coast. Felician (sport.diving) runs regular trips to it so suggest you PM him if interested.

 

[ajduplessis]

Andrea Doria
SS Thistlegorm
Oceanos - South Africa (100m) and considered one of the most challenging wreck dives in the world due to wild seas, strong current and remote location. Can drift 20-30km during deco in some of the most shark-infested waters on earth!! Great dive thou (so I am told).

 

[kwinter]

RMS Republic off Nantucket. Rumored to have been carrying gold and cargo worth hundreds of millions of dollars that has not been recovered.

 

[WreckDiver1321]

Edmund Fitzgerald
S.S. America almost on Isle Royale

Love my Lake Superior wrecks.

 

[Sharks at Aliwal]

Andrea Doria
SS Thistlegorm
Oceanos - South Africa (100m) and considered one of the most challenging wreck dives in the world due to wild seas, strong current and remote location. Can drift 20-30km during deco in some of the most shark-infested waters on earth!! Great dive thou (so I am told).

Depends who you talk to but only between 7 and 12 divers have ever dived the Oceanos. Hopefully another 2 people will be joining there ranks on a trip to try and dive on it in May this year.

 

[mockney]

Can you dive the Graf Spee?. It must be in pretty shallow water and even though perople died in the battle when it was scuttled there was no one left onboard. That would be one hell of a dive although I guess the vis would be pretty dreadful.

Anyway I have to vote for the Yongala.... well I will do in a few weeks because I have just booked the dive trip 2 days and 4 dives. Cant wait. I'm going to dive on the ex HMAS Adelaide this weekend as a little appetite wetter for the main event.