Ocean City Wrecks 2004
Join us for a four-day, four-wreck extravaganza on some outstanding mid-Atlantic wrecks!
Departing daily from Ocean City Maryland aboard the OC DIver:
Tuesday - Friday, July 20 - July 23, 2004
Dive the US Navy gunboat St.
Augustine (250'), the Lebanese freighter, Ethel C
(190'), the lost treasure ship, Merida
(210') and the merchant freighter Marine Electric (160')!!!!!
ST AUGUSTINE - 250 FSW
The St Augustine was a privately owned vessel that was sold to the U.S. Navy and outfitted for coastal patrol and anti-submarine operations in 1941. Originally owned by Norm Woolworth, the St. Augustine was a 272' long luxury yacht. Despite her successful attack on the U-701 in 1942, which weakened the later wrecked u-boat, the St Augustine's days as a U.S. Navy vessel would eventually come to an end. On January 6, 1944 while escorting a convoy off Ocean City, MD, the St. Augustine collided with the tanker Camas Meadows, which was en route to the Caribbean islands. The collision pierced a fatal blow in the side of the St. Augustine, sending the ship to the bottom in less than 5 minutes. Of particular historical note, Chief Boatswain's mate Louis Trembley, hero of the USS YF 415 sinking off Boston MA, served on the St Augustine before her demise.
ETHEL C - 190 FSW
The Ethel C was a 2,847 ton Lebanese freighter. On her fateful voyage, she was transporting scrap iron from New York to Newport News, VA The ship's cargo shifted in heavy seas, resulting in excessive strain that broke the back of her hull. On April 16, 1960, the Ethel C came to rest sitting upright in 190' of water, her pumps having failed to keep her afloat. Today the wreck sits intact and upright. The wreck can be reached in 140' of water where her wheelhouse once stood. The wreck still is a bountiful artifact producer and an impressive, sizable wreck.
MERIDA - 210 FSW
The Merida was a 6,207 ton passenger-freighter sunk in 210' of water after colliding with the SS Admiral Farragut while traveling from New York from Cuba on May 12, 1911. Of historical note, none of the 320 passengers and crew perished in the sinking. The ship was rumored to have been carrying a large cargo of silver and copper, which has lured many salvagers to the site. However, like many rumored treasure ships, nothing of great monetary value has been recovered from the site. The wreck has been damaged considerably from the blunt force approach of the many salvage operations. However, artifacts for those with an appreciation for the smaller things are plentiful - items such as china dishes can still be found. The wreck is not visited often and much remains to be seen.
MARINE ELECTRIC - 160 FSW
In the early morning hours of Feb. 12, 1983, the bulk transport ship Marine Electric was lost in a terrible tragedy while transporting 24,800 tons of coal in her holds 30 miles off the coast of the barrier islands of Virginia. The ship was battered for hours by huge seas, some of them 35 feet high. Slowly, the 38 year old and seemingly not seaworthy ship began to give-way. In poor condition with rusting and cracking decks, this ship was more than twice the age for de-commissioning and retirement. Hatch covers designed to keep water from entering the ship, sealing her cargo were worn thin and not secure. Even the ship's pumps to remove water from her holds were inoperative. Hull damage was hastily and crudely patched - this ship was a tragedy waiting to happen The ship foundered at 4:10 am, after hours of distress calls and attempts to weather the storm. The men abandoned ship in a desperate attempt to save themselves but when help finally arrived nearly two hours later, thirty-one men had been lost to the sea. A riveting novel, "Until the Sea Shall Free Them" tells this sad tale - more information can be found here: http://www.untilthesea.com/shipwreck.shtml
Today, the Marine Electric lies on her port side in 160' of water. The bow and stern section are separated by about 200' and both are worth checking out. A veritable maze awaits inside the wreck as the intact structure affords extensive penetration and exploration.
Trip Particulars -
The cost of the trip is $700.00 for all four days of outstanding mid-Atlantic wreck diving. This price includes only diving and not food or gas fills.
A $350 non-refundable deposit is due upon reservation. Balance is due June 1, 2004. Cancellations before June 1, 2004 will be accepted with loss of deposit. Cancellations after June 1 will result in forfeiture of full charter fare of $700.
Per diem reservations are not possible at this time since the order of these dives will be determined by what is best with sea/weather conditions.
You may stay aboard the OC Diver, berthed in Ocean City, Maryland or make a reservation at any of the summer hotels in the area. The marina has a bath house with all the necessary facilities for our use. The boat has an air-conditioned cabin.
The boat will depart at 5 am each day for one of the following wrecks listed above. Only one dive per day may be made on the deep wrecks (190' and below). Two dives may be made on the Marine Electric.
Should the weather not be suitable, an alternative destination will be selected based on group consensus with the captain, as there are many excellent dives both inshore and offshore that will have made the trip worthwhile. Other interesting wrecks in the area include the India Arrow, the San Gil, the Terror Wreck, the Northern Pacific and the S-5, among others
Gas fills are available. Price per cubic foot of Helium is $0.60 and Nitrox fills are approximately $22. For example, a 16/50 trimix will cost about $90-95 dollars.
All divers will be required to complete liability release waivers and diver data sheets prior to participating in the expedition. Divers must also be Trimix certified to participate in this expedition.
For additional information or to make a reservation - contact us at 617-480-5261 or charters@northernatlanticdive.com