Algol May 29, 2005
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Surface interval in calm seas |
We had a simply beautiful day to celebrate the Memorial day weekend. The sun rose through clear skies over the ocean as we drove east to the Spring Tide. Heading out of the inlet the seas were less than the forecasted 1-3ft. By the time we reached the dive site they were almost flat. The boat’s mate, Bart, quickly hooked the wreck, and tied us in.
Vis on the wreck was 30- 40 feet (depending on who you ask). The storms earlier this week mixed the water enough to bring up the bottom temp close to 50 degrees. The crew did a great job and grappled right into the Wheelhouse, the tallest part of the ship. As we reached a depth of 40ft, the top of the wreck started to come into view, and the clear water made wreck lines unnecessary. There was a slight current from the east, but nothing unmanageable.
Schools of cunners, pollock and large tautog encircle the top and side of the superstructure. The top was covered with mussels, and swarms of small fish. Swimming down to the deck at 110 ft, the fish life dropped sharply.Inflatable Water Slide Large mussels could be found here with large starfish to match. The hatches are no longer on the holds, which now opened as gaping holes in the deck. My feeble light could not penetrate their dark depths. After swimming along the deck for several hundred feet, it became obvious that the interesting part of the wreck was behind us.
Returning to the upper levels of the superstructure, the other divers started appearing on the line. I persuaded a few fish into joining us back on the boat, and headed back to the line. While the water had been mixed up a bit, it was still warmer on the hang.
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Bart with Tautog.
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Back on the boat we did our surface interval watching Bart pick through the mussels he brought up, and taking pictures of the 24 inch tog. A few naps were had, and sea stories swapped.
The second dive was a bit cooler on the bottom. On the top of the wreck you could see the scintillation of the warm and cold water. Below this line the temp had dropped to 44 degrees. The current was about the same as before.
We started our search for lonely fish in search of a friend, circling the decks, peering in the large windows of the bridge passing under the walkways surrounding the decks. Deep in the wreck large tog could be seen staring back at us. They waited patiently for us to leave.
There was very little monofilament on this wreck. There were a couple of shot lines on the deck, but not much debris. This would be a great wreck for penetration. The openings were large and clear. The spaces inside looked to be easy to navigate. With proper gear, training and dive buddy, this could be a very interesting wreck.
As we returned to the surface the seas had subsided to only a few inches. There was hardly a breath of a breeze over the deck. Bart pulled the hook, and we headed back to shore, another great dive.
Tags: dive, SCUBA, scuba nj, scuba training, wreck diving