USS Algol AKA-54 (2/3) ~ 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.