New Jersey Scuba Diving

Type:

shipwreck, liner, USA

Built:

1915, Philadelphia PA USA

Specs:

( 509 x 63 ft ) 8256 gross tons, 28 crew

Sunk:

Wednesday February 8, 1922
burned - 4 casualties

Depth:

140 ft

The Northern Pacific was taken over by the military for World War I, armed, and used as a fast troopship. During her military service, the Northern Pacific made 13 round-trips to Europe and was severely damaged in a grounding off Long Island. She was repaired but later lost while under tow to new owners.

Today the Northern Pacific lies upside down in 140 ft of water on a sandy bottom, rising some 30 ft of the bottom. The starboard side is intact, with a few holes allowing entry. The port side has large gaping wounds as if she had exploded outward, and can be easily penetrated. Due to the long ride, she is not often dived. There was some salvage work done on her to remove her propellers. There is a debris field surrounding her, mostly on the port side.

Artifacts are still found, including portholes, again mostly on the port side. She is a good lobster and spearfishing wreck. Visibility is usually good, sometimes, exceeding 100 ft. Currents can be unpredictable, and temperatures range from the low '40s to the '50s during the summer months.

Note: This ship is huge, 50% bigger than the Mohawk, longer than both the Algol and the San Diego, heavier than the Oregon, and intact. This must be one hell of a dive!