Chaparra

Shipwreck Chaparra
Type:
shipwreck, freighter, Cuba
Name:
a seaport in northeastern Cuba
also Spanish for "cowboy" or slang for "shorty"
Built:
1906, Scotland, as Tinhow
Specs:
( 249 x 38 ft ) 1510 gross tons, 29 crew
Sunk:
Sunday October 27, 1918
struck mine laid by U-117 - 6 casualties
Depth:
80 ft

Today the Chaparra lies in 80 ft of water on a sandy bottom. Her hull lies on its port side, and is flattened out. The bow offers the most relief off the bottom. Her boilers and engine are still visible, some portions covered by large hull plates. She is generally a good lobster wreck. Artifacts can still be found, digging is usually needed. She is sometimes called the Offshore Barge. A mine from the U-117 also sank the San Saba.

Chaparra
U-117
U-117, sunk as a target 1921

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Atlantic Torpedo

Torpedo nobiliana

Size: to 6 ft long, 200 lbs., and 220 volts

Habitat: Soft sandy bottoms, from water's edge to 350 ft. Uncommon.

Notes:
Potentially dangerous

Distinguishing characteristics: Round body with a short tail and no stingers. This fish can produce enough electricity to stun a swimmer, but it is usually unaggressive. They are uncommon but deserve mention for the surprise they pack. I have seen unaware divers ( including a PADI "Underwater Naturalist" instructor ) get zapped in the tropics by the smaller ( 40 volts ) electric rays there.