APL-31 (1/2)

APL-31 reef
Type:
shipwreck, barge, barracks craft - personnel housing
Built:
September 30, 1944; Everett, WA. USA
Specs:
( 261 x 49 ft ) 2,580 tons
Sponsor:
The Meyer Family
Dedication:
Jack Meyer
Sunk:
Monday July 23, 2001 - Sea Girt Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°06.600' -73°41.500'
Depth:
125 ft
Barracks ship at Annapolis, 1947

The keel of this US Navy barge was laid in 1944 by the Everett Pacific Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company in Everett, WA. She was built without engines for a total of $1,842,000 as a mobile hospital during WWII. After the war, she was converted for use as a forward submarine support facility, with a machine shop and accommodations for civilian contractors and off-duty submarine crews. Nicknamed "Happy Acres", APL-31 was stationed in Rota Spain and Kings Bay GA through the late seventies. She was donated to the reef program through the NJ State Agency for Surplus Property from the Philadelphia Naval Business Center (NAVINACTFLT).

At Rota Spain, providing berthing and work space for drydock barge USS Oak Ridge, 1970s. The drydock serviced submarines mainly.
APL-31 reef
APL-31 reef
APL-31 reef
APL-31 reef
APL-31 reef
The entire sinking took only 14 minutes

The APL-31 is lying on its starboard side and deteriorating quickly. The highest point of the wreck is at a depth of 80 feet. Since she has rolled over on her side the many loose items in her compartments and rooms have shifted and fallen or are hanging precariously making penetration very dangerous. The steel rivets which hold the many corrugated aluminum sheets are breaking off and causing the sheets to 'flap' in the current, and banging into the steel support beams and occasionally making loud booms underwater, un-nerving if you didn't know what was causing them.

APL-31 reef
Full Size
APL-31 reef
Full Size
APL-31 reef
Full Size
APL-31 reef
Full Size
APL-31 reef
Full Size
APL-31 reef
Full Size
APL-31 reef
Full Size

Deck plans courtesy of Paul S. Embry and Capt Steve Nagiewicz

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Goosefish

Lophius americanus

Size
to 48" and 50 lbs.

Description:
Also known as Headfish, these are a living nightmare in appearance, although they are actually rather docile, provided you don't get too close to the hungry end. Like alligators, they will snap at anything that comes within range, which makes for a number of hair-raising but amusing stories. The tails of these toothy monstrosities are excellent eating and are served in restaurants as "Monkfish" ( also known as "Headfish" and "All-mouth". ) They are extremely slimy. Females are larger than males. A related species in Europe grows to 100 lbs!

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