Whiskey Wreck Dive Report - 5/7/2010

[sontek]

Nyxom and I decided to find the whiskey wreck last night, we hit the water at 7pm sharp, with just a little sun still out and was warned that it might be hard to find so we were hoping to get there with a little sunlight still above our heads. The water was extremely choppy on the surface but as soon as we got under it just swayed us back and forth a bit.

We aligned ourselves with Bahama Bobs and took a heading straight ahead, which was almost directly south and shortly after was presented with a much larger structure than we had expected to find in 10ft of water!

On the wreck we found a lot of marine life, a lot of spades, massive flounder, and a very large octopus hanging out in a pipe, he was playful but we were trying to cover the whole ship to see what it had to offer so we didn't stay with him long.

I decided to penetrate a part of the wreck and the swaying current made me pay for that decision, I now have a nice gash across my forehead from it putting me into the wreck

Overall we were very impressed with how large the structure was and the amount of marine life on it and how easy it is to get to it from the shore, the only thing wrong with the site is no good parking, Bahama Bob's was packed.


Dive time: 59minutes
Max Ft: 15
Temperature: 70 degrees


Does anyone know the history of the whiskey wreck? How did it get there? How old is it?

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Thanks for the report, been wondering how the Whiskey has done over the winter.

The Whiskey Wreck(AKA Mail Wreck) is a dereck barge that was run ashore during the hurricane of 1906. Same as the paddlewheeler. She hit the sandbar and the surf overtook her. The boat carried lumber and supposedly mail, and rumor has it took liquors during the prohibition?... Last part is probably urban legend.

 

[paulwall]

If it wrecked in 1906, it was pre-prohibition. It may have been running liquor to avoid taxes, though.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

You and all you knowledge of liquors!

 

[itsacanofcorn]

Hey I'm coming down to Gulf Shores May 17-19th and was looking for a buddy or two to go out to The Whiskey Wreck. I am coming from South Carolina and spend most of my time in the lake and looking for some ocean diving.

Thanks!

Carter

 

[mike_s]

Does anyone know the history of the whiskey wreck? How did it get there? How old is it?

besides the history provided by Bug'man, etc...

here's a thread on the subject from a couple years ago you might be interested to read.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/deep-dixie-divers/170156-whiskey-wreck-history.html