Whiskey Wreck History

[algulfdiver]

Sounds like there may be 2 different wrecks on this site


HISTORY
LNM11/85-- DERRICK BARGE SUNK IN APPROX. POS. LAT. 30-14-42N, ì
LONG. 87-41-30W HAS BEEN LOCATED IN POS. LAT. 30-14-36.7N, LONG. ì
87-41-53.0W. APPROX. 4 FEET OVER WRECK. (PUBLISHED FROM ì
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION IN LTR. FROM HFP-1 TO CGD8, DATED MARCH ì
4, 1985.
H10114/83-85-- OPR-J217-HSB-81; WHILE SEARCHING FOR PSR ITEM 276 ì
(AWOIS ITEM 3629), AN UNCHARTED WRECK WAS LOCATED IN LAT. ì
30-14-36.63N, LONG. 87-41-53.04W WITH A LL LD OF 3 FEET. ì
EVALUATOR RECOMMENDS CHARTING WRECK AS SURVEYED AND RETAINING ì
CHARTED WRECK "PA" IN LAT. 30-14.7N, LONG. 87-41.2W. WRECKAGE IS ì
SPREAD OVER A 50 X 20 METER AREA WITH BOTTOM DEPTHS VARYING 9 TO ì
14 FEET. SURF ACTION OVER SAND BAR ON WHICH WRECK WAS LOCATED ì
ROCKED DIVERS. VIS. 3-4 FEET HORIZ. AND VERT. POPULAR DIVE SITE. ì
(UP 12/26/90, SJV)

DESCRIPTION
**** MEMO, LTJG P.M. KENUL, OIC, HFP-1 TO LCDR K.W. PERRIN, CHIEF, HFPS;
RE. CLARIFICATION OF AWOIS NO. 03629 (PSR ITEM 276), H10114; AWOIS ITEM
NOT FOUND. DANGEROUS SUBM. WRECK LOCATED BY R/AZ IN LAT. 30-14-36.70N,
LONG. 87-41-53.00W ON JD 058, 1985. LD BY DIVER LEAD LINE 4.5 FT.
(UNCORP. FOR PRED. TIDES).
**** DIVER'S GUIDE TO THE ALABAMA-FLORIDA GULF (SEACOAST BOOKS, BIRMINGHAM,
ALABAMA); LOCAL DIVE KNOWN AS WHISKEY OR MAIL WRECK; NORWEGIAN LUMBER
BOAT WRECKED IN 1906 LIES 200 YDS. OFFSHORE DUE TO RECEDING SHORELINE IN
15-20 FT.; SCATTERED OVER 100 YD. AREA E-W PATTERN; PORTIONS OF HULL,
SOME METAL AND TIMBERS REMAIN. SHIFTING SAND VARIES EXPOSURE WITH TIME.

 

[tom wicker]

Sounds like there may be 2 different wrecks on this site


HISTORY
LNM11/85-- DERRICK BARGE SUNK IN APPROX. POS. LAT. 30-14-42N, ì
LONG. 87-41-30W HAS BEEN LOCATED IN POS. LAT. 30-14-36.7N, LONG. ì
87-41-53.0W. APPROX. 4 FEET OVER WRECK. (PUBLISHED FROM ì
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION IN LTR. FROM HFP-1 TO CGD8, DATED MARCH ì
4, 1985.
H10114/83-85-- OPR-J217-HSB-81; WHILE SEARCHING FOR PSR ITEM 276 ì
(AWOIS ITEM 3629), AN UNCHARTED WRECK WAS LOCATED IN LAT. ì
30-14-36.63N, LONG. 87-41-53.04W WITH A LL LD OF 3 FEET. ì
EVALUATOR RECOMMENDS CHARTING WRECK AS SURVEYED AND RETAINING ì
CHARTED WRECK "PA" IN LAT. 30-14.7N, LONG. 87-41.2W. WRECKAGE IS ì
SPREAD OVER A 50 X 20 METER AREA WITH BOTTOM DEPTHS VARYING 9 TO ì
14 FEET. SURF ACTION OVER SAND BAR ON WHICH WRECK WAS LOCATED ì
ROCKED DIVERS. VIS. 3-4 FEET HORIZ. AND VERT. POPULAR DIVE SITE. ì
(UP 12/26/90, SJV)

DESCRIPTION
**** MEMO, LTJG P.M. KENUL, OIC, HFP-1 TO LCDR K.W. PERRIN, CHIEF, HFPS;
RE. CLARIFICATION OF AWOIS NO. 03629 (PSR ITEM 276), H10114; AWOIS ITEM
NOT FOUND. DANGEROUS SUBM. WRECK LOCATED BY R/AZ IN LAT. 30-14-36.70N,
LONG. 87-41-53.00W ON JD 058, 1985. LD BY DIVER LEAD LINE 4.5 FT.
(UNCORP. FOR PRED. TIDES).
**** DIVER'S GUIDE TO THE ALABAMA-FLORIDA GULF (SEACOAST BOOKS, BIRMINGHAM,
ALABAMA); LOCAL DIVE KNOWN AS WHISKEY OR MAIL WRECK; NORWEGIAN LUMBER
BOAT WRECKED IN 1906 LIES 200 YDS. OFFSHORE DUE TO RECEDING SHORELINE IN
15-20 FT.; SCATTERED OVER 100 YD. AREA E-W PATTERN; PORTIONS OF HULL,
SOME METAL AND TIMBERS REMAIN. SHIFTING SAND VARIES EXPOSURE WITH TIME.

Gary that’s is some very interesting information you have there. I’m putting together an article about this wreck and also the paddle-wheeler the unconfirmed Miami. Would you share with me the any information you may have on the history and references? I have found a third barge I have not yet confirmed or at least had a chance too yet further west out toward Fort Morgan. I would also like to use the Name of Gulf Divers dive shop in this article if you don’t mind.

I have come across several interesting and promising sites doing this research and talking with some of the older fisherman of the area.

 

[rdharbis1]

Tom,
Do you pubish your articles and if so, where?
Randy

 

[tom wicker]

Tom,
Do you pubish your articles and if so, where?
Randy

Ouch what a question now how to answer without sounding like a ham. In the last year or so I have slacked somewhat from Photography But to answer you question yes I have been lucky enough to have several of my photos and photo/article published. Most of my work has to do with Avian photography and Glamour. If you were to do a Google search on the name “tomw photographer” you will find me listed. To name a couple of Mag. Nature Journal, Birders world, Alabama Living, among others are Law enforcement and Women Magazines.

I use to love it and had a deep passion for photography till it turned into a job. Now I answer to no Editor and do freelance from time to time. And also stock photography which I’m seriously behind in or so says their letters wanting new work.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

It seems like a barge would be easily refloated if it had sunk in 1985? There was another wreck located just off the beach in Gulf Shores, a barge, that was supposedly refloated as well - you can find a bit of info on it on the Google Earth plugin from the Destin Shark site.

 

[tom wicker]

It seems like a barge would be easily refloated if it had sunk in 1985? There was another wreck located just off the beach in Gulf Shores, a barge, that was supposedly refloated as well - you can find a bit of info on it on the Google Earth plugin from the Destin Shark site.

There was also a private watercraft ran ashore through there and OBI it was soon covered with sand along the mean high tide line. I don't recall at the moment but I think it was the Strom before Danny uncovered it temporary only soon to recover. Off the beach beyond the main swimming are there was a craft that burned and sunk there also.
Gary the same pleasure Island group we talked about confirmed this also. At the time of their dive on it there was very little was visible and the motor was still in place. On further East toward the pass there are also three more barges reported to have sunk. One was the dredge I talked with one of the men that blasted the riggings on the dredge and they also knew of the other two

We need to all start compiling an updated list on some of the Alabama dives. Granted the reef list on Al.outdoors is a great site to get the numbers from but they tell nothing of the sites themselves. A bit of history and a picture or two would be nice

 

[rdharbis1]

Ouch what a question now how to answer without sounding like a ham...

I appreciate your response and don't feel bad for providing an answer. The answer you gave is exactly what I was curious about. I really enjoy reading and especially if it is something I am keenly interested in, diving being one of those interests. And, it is especially enjoyable if it is someone that I have had opportunity to meet.
Thanks,
Randy

 

[TwoBitTxn]

I may be able to help with some history as I know family of the previous owner.

TwoBit

 

[algulfdiver]

This site is cool check it out. http://www.shipwreckcentral.com/map/

 

[algulfdiver]

This is the one I found the Whiskey info on. http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/hsd/awois/contus/Louisiana.htm

We have #s and Dive quite a few that are on this site.