This Past Week
Wasn’t much of a weekend for diving, we stayed tied to the dock rather than even trying to run out into gale conditions. I did go down on Friday and started setting up some new electronics/software that I have been wanting to play with. I finished the install but not the set-up and not everything is “talking” to everything else. I can’t wait to finish this and get out and try it on the wrecks.
This Week
Wednesday the 19th – OPEN – Destination based on diver’s interest and the whims of the captain. Right now I have two on-board and they’ve expressed interest in lobsters and fish. Departure 0800 (8:00am) If you’re interested in getting out during the week give me a call at either 973-887-DEEP (3337) or my cell 201-401-4608.
Saturday the 22nd – SCUBA Network – Contact Rick at SCUBA Network 973-256-0555 for details
Sunday the 23rd – Lakeland Divers – SS Delaware 80’ - There is actually quite a bit of this old wooden steamer left. A linear array of rather large pieces is clearly recognizable as the remains of a ship, beginning with the bow and, back through the boilers, engine, drive shaft, and propeller, with hull ribs, copper sheathing, and other wooden remains throughout. This has always been one of my favorite wrecks. Lakeland can be reached at 973-887-0194
Next Week
Saturday the 29th - Tridents – Lobsters & Fish 100> - The Tridents will again be back, this time for their last scheduled dive of the season. Unlike most Trident trips we will more than likely be tied in for two and do only one or two “buoy dives” on the way in. Bret can be reached at 973-876-5896
Sunday the 30th – OPEN - Destination based on diver’s interest and the whims of the captain. Departure 0800 (8:00am) If you’re interested in getting out give me a call at either 973-887-DEEP (3337) or my cell 201-401-4608.
Although these will be some of the last “charters” of the year the season on-board the Sea Lion runs year round. We will be running OPEN boats through the fall and winter, there’s a lot of great diving late in the year. For any of the OPEN boats or if you’d like to get out on any day not listed I can be reached at either 973-887-DEEP (3337) or my cell 201-401-4608
Special late season trip
SPECIAL NOTE: In that I need to make a commitment to the marina for a slip I need to let them know ASAP if I’m actually going to come down. PLEASE don’t wait till the last minute to see what the weather is looking like before you sign up if you’re interested. Without sufficient prior interest I’ll be forced to cancel the trip. This is going to be a great trip!
I am in the process of putting together an Atlantic City trip in November the current dates I’m looking at are November 2nd through the 6th OR the 16th through the 20th. The dates will be determined by both diver interest and which week has the better weather. Some of the wrecks I plan to visit are (and in no particular order) described below. There are others that we might get to but these are the four that are my primary targets. There is also a very good chance that I will bring my dredge out to several of them.
The Astra - the Astra sits in 85 ft of water on a sandy bottom. Her stern is intact and lists to port. The rest of the ship sits upright, her midsection collapsed. She can be easily penetrated, and is a great photography, artifact and food wreck. The stern has the greatest relief, coming 25 ft or so off the sand. We visited her back in May and although not a “sister” ship to the Tolten she could be described as a “cousin” as both ships were built in Denmark to a similar deck plan. Artifacts can be found simply by hand fanning.
The Almirante - The Almirante was a United Fruit Company steamship bound from New York City to Colon, Panama with a full cargo hold. On Friday September 6, 1918 at 2:00 a.m. The 15,000-ton Navy tanker USS Hisko rammed the Almirante in heavy seas and fog. She sits in 70’ of water on a clean sand bottom. This was the wreck we recovered the auxiliary helm from this past spring and the literally thousands of ceramic tiles from the previous year. A lot more waits to be found on her.
San Jose’ – Built in 1904 in Ireland this massive 330’ ship sank in a collision with the Santa Elisa January 17th 1942 and was reported to have been torpedoed after the collision by the U-123. She now lies in 100’ of water. Her wreckage is spread over a wide area, with the main portion of the hull on its port side, pretty much intact. She can be penetrated and divers can enter long corridors with adjoining rooms. Reports of an auxiliary helm that has yet to be recovered persist.
Mason’s Paddlewheeler – Much like the RC Mohawk this wreck suffered from a “lack of environmental awareness” Originally known as the $25. dollar wreck it was in an area of dirty water. The source of this dirty water has long since been capped and the wreck has cleaned up nicely. Atlantic Divers rechristen the wreck Mason's Paddle Wheeler after a barrel of china marked “Mason’s” was found. Dave Keller recovered a large brass steam vent with a thermometer enclosed. Several bottles, and more pieces of china have been uncovered since that time and numerous copper pipe lay ambiguously in the debris. Today she sits in 85’ of clear water with a healthy abundance of marine life. This is the wreck that we recovered several hundred pounds of brass off of in the spring.
Gene Peterson’s site also has some good information on all of the Atlantic City wrecks
If you’re interested in this trip contact me ASAP at 973-887-DEEP or my cell 201-401-4608
Captain Al
SEA LION
For any of the OPEN boats or if you’d like to get out on any day not listed I can be reached at either 973-887-DEEP (3337) or my cell 201-401-4608
We have established a diver’s e-mail list and if you’d like to be included send the message “please add me to the SEA LION diver list” to sealion@atlantic-wreckdivers.com
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