Spiegel Grove

[DennisW]

Does anyone have a diagram / drawing of the Spiegel Grove. Donna and I are diving it next Saturday and she wants to look at a diagram of the ship to decide what areas we want to explore on the dive. This is for a non-penetrating dive around the deck of the ship, so a good diagram of what is still on the ship would be nice. I looked on the internet, but have been working long hours this week and haven't had time to search extensively.

Thanks in advance,

 

[Padipro]

Dennis,

I just dove the Grove last week for the first time and it was FANTASTIC!! It's so massive that it hard to comprehend the size. Unfortunately this also makes it difficult to explore anything more then a few hundred feet, at the most, from where the boat is anchored on the Grove. If you anchor on the bow for instance there is no way you're going to be able to make it to the stern and back on a single dive. You may be able to request that the dive boat anchor at a specific spot on the wreck but they can't guarantee that another dive boat won't already be there when they arrive. You just kind of have to go with the flow and take what you get when you get there. No matter where they anchor on the wreck it's going to be a great dive. The top of the wreck, that's really the port side, is in about 55 feet of water near the center of the wreck and if you go all the way to the sand you might hit 130+. The current is usually coming from the south which tends to blow you into the deck and keep you from being blowen off the wreck. The currents can be VERY strong, so be prepared.

Have a great trip and let all of us know how it was when you get back.

Scott

 

[DennisW]

I know the SG is big. I was thinking I could at least see a diagram of what I may expect to see before we get in the water. Maybe I'll download and print one of the pictures that are online and use that as a go-by just before we dive.

Again, thanks.

 

[Beachman]

Begining at the stern, ball #1 descends to the port side stern at about 65 fsw. Ball #2 descends to the port side about 75' from the stern above the open hold section at about 60 fsw. Ball #3 descends all the way to the bottom at about 130 fsw and is attached to a crane laying on the sand which leads to the starboard side about 50' away.

Ball #4 desends to the port side amidship at about 55 fsw above the main cabin structure area. Ball # 5 descends to just below the portside at about 70 fsw just in front of the bridge, with a second submerged descent line beginning there in front of the bridge and descending an additional 60 fsw to the sand. Ball #6 is on the bow at about 75 fsw.

Padipro is correct that it is hard to explore the entire wreck on one dive, particularly if it's your first. If you really want to "explore" in detail, I'd suggest saying between one ball each way from your descent point.

However, if you want to get more of an "overview" of the SG and the currents aren't running too bad, I'd suggest you do a multi-level dive. Begin by staying on the port side between 55' to 75' and swimmming the length of the wreck. If the viz is good, you will get a very good idea of the wreck...even what's on the bottom. Then, depending on air and bottom time remaining, descend furthur to explore a particular area. This dive plan should get you about 35 minutes on air or 50 minutes on Nitrox.

Another interesting thing to do is to follow the bow anchor line in the sand out about 300 feet to a really huge anchor.

Enjoy the SG.......I've been on it a good many times now and never cease to be amazed at what things there are to do.

 

[KeyLargoBrent]

of the port side of the Spiegel Grove (taken just before the sinking) on our homepage at www.bluewaterdiver.net. The ship lies port side up in about 130 feet of water, so this is what you'll see as you descend on the wreck.

I understand that the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce (www.keylargo.org) is working on a line drawing of the wreck. They put out an interesting publication (with lots of pictures) a few months ago, which you could probably pick up at the visitors center (mile marker 106 bayside) on your way into town.

Let me know if you find what you're looking for. Meanwhile, I hope this helps.

 

[DennisW]

Thanks a lot for the information and web site locations. Exactly what I wanted.

 

[Reeflover]

Have a great dive Dennis, I'm sure you'll love the wreck! I dive her as often as I can and I'm still amazed and impressed every time.





Reeflover