Warships (2/3)

A number of small warships are sunk in New Jersey and New York waters.

subchaser (model)

A subchaser was a small coastal patrol vessel of World War I or II. Subchasers were lightly armed and even more lightly constructed, mostly out of plywood, powered by two diesel (WWII) or three gasoline (WWI) engines. Roughly the same design was used in both wars - 110 ft long, about 100 tons. Almost a thousand were built over both World Wars, and several are lost in the waters around this area. Many private yachts and some larger fishing trawlers were converted to perform this function also, like the Tarantula and the Moonstone. Conversely, some subchasers were converted to other duties after the war, such as the Bronx Queen, pictured below in military trim. Real subchasers were designated SC-, while converted yachts were designated SP-, PY- ( patrol yacht ) or PYc ( patrol yacht - coastal. )

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Sub Chaser
Type:
shipwreck, submarine chaser, US Navy
Built:
1918, Camden NJ
Specs:
( 110 x 14 ft ) 85 tons, 26 crew
Sunk:
Tuesday August 27, 1918
friendly fire from freighter SS Felix Taussig - 18 casualties
Depth:
unknown

Sub Chaser
WW I submarine chasers
Type:
shipwreck, submarine chaser, U.S. Navy
Built:
1917, New York NY USA
Specs:
( 110 x 14 ft ) 85 tons
Sunk:
Tuesday October 1, 1918
collision with tanker Fred W. Waller - 2 casualties
Depth:
45 ft

Texas Tower #4
Type:
collapsed radar platform, USAF
Built:
1955, Portland ME USA
Specs:
( 67 ft above water) 6000 tons, 14 crew (minimum)
Sunk:
Sunday January 15, 1961
storm/structural failure/design deficiency - no survivors
GPS:
39°47'56.43" -72°40'08.00" (US Navy 2004)
Depth:
180 ft, starts at 110 ft

airship wreck USS Akron
In flight over the Goodyear plant in Akron Ohio, where she was built.
Type:
shipwreck, dirigible ( rigid airship ) , U.S. Navy
Built:
1931, Akron OH USA
Specs:
( 785 ft ) 200 tons, 76 passengers & crew
Sunk:
Tuesday April 4, 1933
atmospheric storm - 3 survivors
Depth:
105 ft

USS Algol reef
The Algol just prior to sinking, November 1991.
Type:
artificial reef, Andromeda class attack transport ( freighter ), U.S. Navy, also known as a "Victory Ship", although often incorrectly referred to as a Liberty Ship
Name:
One of a series of Navy transports named for stars;
Algol is a star in the constellation Perseus, also known as the Demon star.
Built:
1943; Oakland CA USA, as James Barnes
Specs:
( 459 x 63 ft ) 13910 displacement tons, 429 crew *
* this figure almost certainly includes embarked Marines
Sponsor:
Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration
Sunk:
Thursday November 22, 1991 - Sea Girt Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°06.545' -73°41.450'
Depth:
145 ft +, starts at 70 ft, main deck at 110 ft

Shipwreck Catamount
Type:
shipwreck, private yacht, converted to U.S. Navy patrol boat
Name:
Catamount is another name for a mountain lion, felis concolor.
Built:
1929, Stamford CT USA
Specs:
( 85 x 15 ft ) 67 gross tons, 11 crew
Sunk:
Saturday March 27, 1943
engine explosion - 6 casualties
Depth:
125 ft

Shipwreck Cherokee
Type:
shipwreck, tugboat, US Navy
Name:
An Indian tribe of Pennsylvania and New York, later relocated to Oklahoma.
Built:
1891, Camden NJ USA, as Edgar F. Luckenbach
Specs:
( 120 x 25 ft ) 272 gross tons, 20 crew
Sunk:
Tuesday July 26, 1918
foundered in storm - 10 survivors
Depth:
90 ft

Shipwreck USS Jacob Jones
In the Panama Canal locks, 1920.
Type:
shipwreck, destroyer, Wickes / Tattnall class, U.S. Navy
Built:
1919, Camden NJ USA
Specs:
( 314 x 31 ft ) 1211 gross tons, 145 crew
Sunk:
Saturday February 28, 1942
torpedoed by U-578 - 134 casualties
Depth:
120 ft

Shipwreck USS Moonstone
Lone Star
Type:
shipwreck, patrol boat, U.S. Navy (converted yacht)
Built:
1929, Germany, as Lone Star
Specs:
( 171 x 26 ft ) 469 gross tons, 47 crew
Sunk:
Friday October 15, 1943
collision with destroyer USS Greer ( 1090 tons) - no casualties
Depth:
130 ft

Shipwreck USS Murphy
Type:
shipwreck, destroyer, Benson class, U.S. Navy ( similar to USS Turner )
Built:
1941, Staten Island NY USA
Specs:
( 348 x 36 ft ) 1620 displacement tons, 266 crew
Sunk:
Thursday October 21, 1943
collision with tanker Bulkoil (8071 tons) - 38 casualties
Depth:
260 ft

Warships

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Here are some dimensions and specifications for scuba cylinders. This is by no means an exhaustive list. These numbers should be taken as approximate since equivalent tanks from different manufacturers will differ slightly. The two most common models - the Catalina aluminum 80 and Luxfer aluminum 80 - are highlighted, along with my favorite, the OMS LP steel 85.

  • Weight, full - this is what you will have to be able to lift, in and out of your car, around the dock, and up the boat ladder with all your other gear. Times two for doubles.
  • Weight, empty - this is pretty much irrelevant
  • Buoyancy, empty - this is what you need to weight yourself for, so that you can do a safe free stop at 20 feet at the end of your dive
  • Buoyancy, full - this is what your BC needs to be able to support when you jump in the water, otherwise you are a "dirt dart" heading straight for the bottom and disaster

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