New Jersey Scuba Diving

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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Artificial Reef Sites, Artificial Reefs, Freighters, Long Island West Dive Sites, Mud Hole, New Jersey Artificial Reef Sites, New Jersey Artificial Reefs, Shark River Artificial Reef, Warships,

Gear Moving & Storage

storage box

The standard means of moving and storing dive gear is the dive bag. All of the major manufacturers make dive gear bags. These are often quite fancy, with embroidered logos, pockets inside and out, "ergonomic" handles, and even wheels. Most of these bags are very nice but really too small to hold a cold-water dive kit, and very heavy to carry around when full. These bags are also expensive, a bother to clean, and a lot less waterproof than they claim. Here's is a convenient alternative that is much cheaper:

Go to K-Mart Home Depot and spend $5 on a Rubbermaid tote box, about the size of a milk crate. This will not be big enough to hold all items - you'll have to pack your fins and BC separately - but it will hold everything else, is small enough to fit almost anywhere, and also avoids making a single excessively heavy load. The tote also will not lose small items like a milk crate will. I eventually drilled drain holes in the bottom. I now use my fancy dive bag only to carry my drysuit and its accessories. This type of tote box is the preferred container on every area dive boat I have been on.

More: Gear Moving & Storage ...

Disclaimer:

I make no claim as to the accuracy, validity, or appropriateness of any information found in this website. I will not be responsible for the consequences of any action that is based upon information found here. Scuba diving is an adventure sport, and as always, you alone are responsible for your own safety and well being.

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