USS Algol AKA-54 (2/3)

USS Algol reef
The Algol as she rests on the bottom today

Note:
The small cargo hold just behind the bow in the drawing above was plated-over when the Algol was converted from a freighter to an amphibious attack ship. One of the landing craft was stored there. The diagram must have been made from the builder's blueprints.

An Underwater Tour of the USS Algol

Refer to the diagram above for locations. It is difficult to find subjects on the Algol to photograph because most things are just too big! Visibility here is a snowy 40 feet, under a broken cloudy sky, around noon in October. So far, this is just the forward half of the ship, the rest will have to wait for another time.

The bow, looking down over the rail of the starboard 40mm gun platform.
Looking down from the forward winch house at a doorway on deck, starboard side. Railings and catwalks are rusting away fast.
The cut-off mid-ships winch house, from the port side ...
... and from some other side.
Looking down on ventilators while swimming aft. I'm not certain, but I think this is the small deckhouse on the port side near the mid-ships winch house. Marine snow streaks across these long exposures like driving rain.
Looking down into the #3 cargo hold.
Various things on the roof of the superstructure, more ventilators, I think. Many an AOW student should recognize this spot.
The cut-off smokestack, from the port side.
The cut-off smokestack, from in front. A small person could fit down the circular hole in the middle.
Looking down off the port bridge wing at the deck below. The leading cunner swam up and bit me a right after I took this picture. They really are little bastards.

The photo series above begins at the bow and ends at the superstructure amidships. I always meant to complete it and go to the stern, but I never got around to it, and I doubt I ever will. The rest of the ship is pretty much the same, just going in the opposite direction.

USS Algol reef
A familiar sight - intact railings near the top of the superstructure
USS Algol reef
Looking up at the operations tower
USS Algol reef
Diver approaches a now-unnecessary ladder
USS Algol reef
Looking out from the bridge
USS Algol reef
Interior cabinets
USS Algol reef
The empty compass binnacle on the bridge
USS Algol reef
An overhead tangle

Courtesy of Dan Crowell

Note the deep scour around the Algol in this animated side-scan sonar

Side-scan sonar animation courtesy of:
Science Applications International / Army Corps of Engineers

USS Algol reef

Site slate from Wreck Valley CD-ROM courtesy of Capt. Dan Berg

Diagram courtesy of Capt. Steve Nagiewicz

Note: the Stolt Dagali is no more than a mile away, and can be substituted or combined with a trip to the Algol.

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Finding a Shipwreck

by Capt. Steve Nagiewicz

SS Mohawk aground

Of course, finding a shipwreck is a necessary prerequisite for finding artifacts. Many wreck locations are well known. Others are secrets, and many wrecks have yet to be discovered. While you can recover artifacts from almost any shipwreck, it is these "virgin" wrecks that are often the best producers of prize items like portholes, deadeyes, and china. But how do you find a wreck like this? Research is the most productive method. This will require visiting local libraries, historical societies, nautical museums, and many other institutions. It means lots of reading and digging for information. Be prepared to spend some time searching for clues that aren't willing to be found.

Printed from njscuba.net