Spiegel Grove, Duane & Bibb

[PaulChristenson]

I don't know of any specific websites that deal with these wrecks but most of the dive shops have some detail of the ships if you want to purchase. A lot of times if you just ask, they will talk and show you them anyway.

There isn't much left of the Bibb and is a highly over rated dive in my opinion. Its spread out all over the ocean. The Eagle, on the other hand, is a great dive in the area and I highly recommend it.

We just came back from diving the Duane, Spiegel and the Eagle 2 weeks ago. It was my 2nd trip to the area so I am no expert. They are all very good dives but are also Advanced dives. I can't tell your cert level or expereience so don't take this wrong.

I think you were at the wrong spot

http://www.scubadiving.com/training/specialty_and_advanced/10_great_dives_for_techies/1/

Paul in VT

 

[DEEPLOU]

I just got back from the Eagle, Duane, and SG - It was my second time diving the SG and the Eagle.

The SG is easy to penetrate, as there are large holes cut in the sides, and many of the doors have been removed... The SG also has ropes run through many of the hallways.

The Duane, is similar, where the doors have been removed, and lower decks are sealed, to prevent penetration into unsafe areas.

The Grove is SO big... You should have a plan as to what you want to see.

The Eagle is a GREAT wreck, and you can see most of it on one dive. For all of those dives, the average depths on the Duane and Eagle are around 100' with the bottom at about 120'... The SG... you can go to 132' to look at sand. You can spend the whole dive at 90' and see a lot.

Did Duane last Wednesday. Wanted to do Speigel Grove, but only had Wed morning and no one was doing it that morning.
Water was great, but we had no sun. Air was cool, and didn't make for any warming up during SI. Second dive was 28 ft reef and I was freezing my a.. off. Terminated dive after 30 min. The buddy I met on the boat was also cold.

Its a shame that most of the Keys operators don't let you do two dives on the wrecks. The second dive from my prospective was a waste.

I dived the Bibb in 2003, when I came up the first words out of my mouth were......"I want to come back here with doubles!!"

That's my sentiment on any wreck in 100ft or better. At least you get some time to look around. But in the keys apparently there are two very bad words: "doubles" and "Deco"

The SG... you can go to 132' to look at sand.

Last time did SG it was on its side, back by the stern door there was a washout, and i got 136 in the sand.

 

[diverryan]

There isn't much left of the Bibb and is a highly over rated dive in my opinion. Its spread out all over the ocean.

QUOTE]

I beg to differ on this. I absolutely love the bibb. I think diving on it has decreased dramatically in the last few years, but I always try to make a request to dive on it. Have you dove it recently? Can you give us an update; I have not seen it in about 2 years.

 

[ScubaGypsy]

This site has some information with additional links for the Spiegel Grove, Duane and Bibb: http://oceandivers.com/charter/wrecks.htm

I first dove the Duane in 1989 and just finally redove it in December 2005 (and yes I too saw the bull sharks upon descent, very cool as they were over 8'!). I also dove the Spiegal Grove in September and December 2005. In all of these dives, it never feels like there is enough time to get a true sense of the wrecks, especially the Spiegel Grove.

 

[DEEPLOU]

This site has some information with additional links for the Spiegel Grove, Duane and Bibb: http://oceandivers.com/charter/wrecks.htm

I first dove the Duane in 1989 and just finally redove it in December 2005 (and yes I too saw the bull sharks upon descent, very cool as they were over 8'!). I also dove the Spiegal Grove in September and December 2005. In all of these dives, it never feels like there is enough time to get a true sense of the wrecks, especially the Spiegel Grove.

I dove the Duane last Tues. Saw load of sharks off the starboard bow, but based on my limited knowledge of marine biology (and short memory span), I wasn't able to itentify what kind they were. But there sure were a lot!

 

[aue-mike]

I dove the Duane last Tues. Saw load of sharks off the starboard bow, but based on my limited knowledge of marine biology (and short memory span), I wasn't able to itentify what kind they were. But there sure were a lot!

A lot of people mis-identify the more common reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) with a bull shark. It seems every toothy critter is a "bull shark" to divers....

 

[diverryan]

Speaking of the Keys and sharks, I was absolutely appauled when I heard that the largest Great White ever recorded was found about 20 miles off the coast. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[tjmills]

A lot of people mis-identify the more common reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) with a bull shark. It seems every toothy critter is a "bull shark" to divers....

They are Bulls off the Duane. They seem to have found that as a nice spot to hang out and both the Ops and other divers have confirmed. I do agree with your statement overall though in that people do mistake often. They are the biggest I have run into in the "man eating" category on a dive. (Love to say that but I know I will take some flak for it)

As far as the Bibb goes, I went back and checked my log book and unless Conch Republic lied to me or the divers who were with me on their 6th trip there, my recording was the wreck was pretty broken up. That was January 04. Lots of fish but the wreck itself was broken up pretty badly. Maybe someone who dives there regularly can tell us more. Upon my last trip there a few weeks ago, the boat captain agreed that the Bibb was a wasted dive and the Duane was much better which was strange because the 2 were sunk around the same time and not far from each other. I have been down there 3 times now and I am not an expert, all I did was report what I saw.

 

[diverryan]

Can someone here give us a recent update on the Bibb's status? Any info would be great.

 

[scubamickey]

The Benwood sank in 1942, the wreck has been reduced to the crumpled bow, the bottom of the hull and scattered metal plates --according to every description.

The wreck he was told was the Bibb, was probably the Benwood. The Bibb is intact and lying on her side according to every person that I have spoken to who has dived her in the last 6 months.

Edit: intact is probably too strong a word.