matt_unique
Guest
What a great start to the weekend in the Block Island Sound. We spent Friday night slipped at Block Island then steamed out to the Bass early the following morning. The seas were relatively calm so we made good speed. We arrived at about 9 am to find another boat already moored. As we arrived the last boat occupant was jumping into the water. We tied up to the stern of their boat and suited up. Before we hit the water the divers were on the surface. They were doing relatively short dives on air. We had planned a deco dive for 20 minutes of bottom time. Down the line into the abyss until we reached the conning tower at 125'. We descended down to 138' to the deck of the structure to head toward the stern. It is quite a site to see a ship this large. (340' total length). She is broken just forward of the conning tower and the bow portion sits about 40' in front of the main section. There were fish in every crevice and hatch. The current was mild but pulling us to the stern. We finally reached the razor sharp stern then descended down to the sand (156') to check out the giant prop and rudder. We then ascended back to the deck to head toward the conning tower. We picked up the pace just a bit to make sure we would arrive at the conning tower/mooring line at our planned time of 20 min. Vis is pretty good at this site - we had about 25' this day. I have been on the Bass twice before when the vis was even a little better. This is just an awesome site to behold. I like WWII Naval history so to be able to see and touch this stuff with your own eyes/hands is awesome. We arrived at the conning tower right at 20 min and began our ascent to our first deco stop. At my last stop (20') I was joined by 4 tropical fish. Two Zebra fish and two smaller (silver/shiny) fish. They were quite curious and brave. I moved my finger to imitate a worm and they approached closely. Finally deco was done and we surfaced. What an excellent dive.
After a 2 hour surface interval I returned for dive 2. The plan was to find the bow section. I had never seen it before. We descended down the line and straight over the side to the bottom to find the rope leading to the bow section. If you are swimming from stern to bow the rope is on the bottom at the front/right portion of the wreck at the break. Just a few kicks following this line and the massive bow section appeared like a mountain extending 30' above. The first section you reach on the bow is totally covered in thick fishing net. We ascended to the deck of the bow section and began exploring. Our planned time for dive 2 was 15 min at depth. We turned to head back to the main portion of the wreck, descending down the bow to the line leading us back. Max depth for this dive was 149'. We spotted some Spiny Dogfish around the conning tower. We spent a few minutes looking around the conning tower then began our ascent to stop 1. Another good dive and I finally got to see at least a portion of the bow. It is very surreal to see this wreck and its enormity.
--Matt
After a 2 hour surface interval I returned for dive 2. The plan was to find the bow section. I had never seen it before. We descended down the line and straight over the side to the bottom to find the rope leading to the bow section. If you are swimming from stern to bow the rope is on the bottom at the front/right portion of the wreck at the break. Just a few kicks following this line and the massive bow section appeared like a mountain extending 30' above. The first section you reach on the bow is totally covered in thick fishing net. We ascended to the deck of the bow section and began exploring. Our planned time for dive 2 was 15 min at depth. We turned to head back to the main portion of the wreck, descending down the bow to the line leading us back. Max depth for this dive was 149'. We spotted some Spiny Dogfish around the conning tower. We spent a few minutes looking around the conning tower then began our ascent to stop 1. Another good dive and I finally got to see at least a portion of the bow. It is very surreal to see this wreck and its enormity.
--Matt
