Submarines (2/2) ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Submarines (2/2)

USS Blenny reef — World War II - *USS Blenny* SS-324 - 312 ft, 1,810 tons, 8 knots submerged

Everyone knows what a submarine is - a ship that can go underwater. Hardly needs any explanation. Unless you're in the US Navy. By the Navy definition, only their modern, nuclear-powered boats ( all submarines are called "boats" ) are true submarines, designed to operate beneath the surface almost indefinitely. Anything else is merely a "submersible", tied to the surface by the need for fuel and air. Whatever.

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USS Salmon SSR-573

Shipwreck USS Salmon — Model of the *Salmon* in the 1970s.

Type:: shipwreck, Sailfish class submarine, U.S. Navy
Built:: 1956, Portsmouth NH, USA
Specs:: ( 350 x 25 ft ) 2530 tons, no crew
Sunk:: Saturday June 5, 1993
"artificial reef"
GPS:: 39°42.2' -72°18.2' (US Navy 2004)
Depth:: 360 ft

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USS Spikefish SS-404

Type:: shipwreck, Balao ( modified Gato ) class submarine, U.S. Navy
Built:: 1944, Portsmouth, NH USA
Specs:: ( 312 x 27 ft ) 1810 tons, no crew
Sunk:: Tuesday August 4, 1964
weapons test
Depth:: 280 ft

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Submarines

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Shark River - Back Bay

Shark River Bay Aerial — The new steps are just off the top edge of the photo, past the tennis courts.

Type:: inland tidal bay
Depth:: 20 ft max, 15 ft in most places

This dive site, formerly known as 'L Street' has changed completely, and for the better. The town of Belmar has done something really nice for us divers and installed wide wooden steps down the bulkhead in Maclearie Park. This more than makes up for the loss of the boat ramp area, which is off-limits to all swimmers since it was rebuilt. I suppose the little cove by the ramp is still accessible from the beach, but the new site is much better, and far from all the dangerous boat traffic around the ramp and marina.

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