Trip Report; The Barge in Va. Beach

[RAD Diver]

Went out with Lynnhaven Dive Center on The Miss Lindsey & after a late start ( a few students were given misinformation about were to get equip) we were off. We were set to do The Tower/ the Tug again, but since they were loaded with fishing boats we tied off to The Barge. Seas were in the 2-4 ft range, not bad for this area & vis was 5-10 ft also not bad for this area.
Had a couple of good dives with plenty of sea life such as Flounder,a Horseshoe crap, A Skate & plenty of Toadfish hiding all over several trolly cars that were sank as an artificial reef several years ago.They were sank together , but a hurricane tossed them around pretty good & now they are scattered about.
On the first dive I decided to use a wreak reel to try to get further from Barge & managed to tangle it pretty good, but we did get a good bit of distance to play. My buddy was a patient soul & untangled the mess during the SI. Second dive the reel payed nice & we ran it out completely, but couldnt find the Tank we were told was out there.
Was a good day.

 

[Don Burke]

Had a couple of good dives with plenty of sea life such as Flounder,a Horseshoe crap, A Skate & plenty of Toadfish hiding all over several trolly cars that were sank as an artificial reef several years ago.They were sank together , but a hurricane tossed them around pretty good & now they are scattered about.

They were set pretty scattered. I was out on the boat that set the reference buoys and I videotaped the cars going over.

We have not been hit hard enough to move any of that stuff.

 

[RAD Diver]

That was the story I was told , but if you were there Ill go with that. It just seemed funny that 1 was right next to the Barge ( almost touching ) & all the others were on the other side a good distance away .

 

[Don Burke]

That was the story I was told , but if you were there Ill go with that. It just seemed funny that 1 was right next to the Barge ( almost touching ) & all the others were on the other side a good distance away .

The tug pulling the barge ran a racetrack pattern while an excavator knocked the "redbirds" into the ocean. Any that were close together were not dropped consecutively, they were just near by the luck of the draw since it took a few seconds for the cars to flood and submerge.

Watch what you believe from the locals around here. They still talk about the "uboat wreck" off Willoughby Spit. They will also tell you about the day three ships were torpedoed within sight of Virginia Beach during WWII. Both are gross distortions of the facts.

 

[RAD Diver]

The tug pulling the barge ran a racetrack pattern while an excavator knocked the "redbirds" into the ocean. Any that were close together were not dropped consecutively, they were just near by the luck of the draw since it took a few seconds for the cars to flood and submerge.


Watch what you believe from the locals around here. They still talk about the "uboat wreck" off Willoughby Spit. They will also tell you about the day three ships were torpedoed within sight of Virginia Beach during WWII. Both are gross distortions of the facts.

I hadnt heard of either of those accounts so Ill be prepared when they do come up.

 

[Don Burke]

I hadnt heard of either of those accounts so Ill be prepared when they do come up.

You can visit the "uboat" if you wish. Take the 15th View exit off 64 and look behind the restaurant and motel on the upstream side of the HRBT.

The three ships "torpedoed" actually hit mines laid by U-701.