Long Island Coast Dive Sites Chart
Long Island has many great sites for shore diving. Listed here are just a few for which I have scavenged descriptions. For a complete listing, pick up a copy of Dan Berg's Long Island Shore Diver at your local dive shop.
Do not ask for numbers - I will not give them out !
- Type:
- shipwreck, frigate ( Mermaid-class, 6th-rate ), British Royal Navy
- Name:
- Hussars were light cavalry units of the period, known for their colorful and showy uniforms.
- Built:
- 1763, England
- Specs:
- ( 124 x 33 ft ) 627 gross tons
- Sunk:
- Thursday November 23, 1780
struck a rock - unknown casualties, including prisoners - Depth:
- probably buried in the landfill under the police station near 135th Street
More: HMS Hussar ...
- Type:
- shipwreck, sailing ship, Italy
- Specs:
- 566 tons
- Sunk:
- March 4, 1881; ran aground in storm - 1 survivor
- Depth:
- 25 ft
Also known as the Italian Wreck, the Ajace was sunk at 4:00 AM on March 4, 1881. At the time, she was carrying a small cargo of scrap railroad iron and 2,040 empty petroleum barrels. While bound for New York from Belgium, the Ajace was caught in one of the worst storms of the year and ran aground off Rockaway beach. Many sources report that Captain F. Morice, seeing that all hope was lost, opened his private supply of brandy and shared it with his crew. Soon after, the crew became badly beaten from the pounding of the waves and drunk from the brandy.
More: Ajace ...
The visibility on this site varies. Average is 10-12ft. This site offers two wrecks which lie in 25 fsw. A British WWI two-man reconnaissance submarine and an old wooden barge. They are both within swimming distance from each other. The marine life is fair around these wrecks. There are a few car tires between the two wrecks and you may find an occasional lobster hiding inside them. To locate the barge take a compass heading of 330 degrees from the pilings located on the east side of Greenwich Ave. It takes about 50 kick cycles to reach the wreck. To get to the submarine take a compass heading of 30 degrees from the same pilings. This can be reached in about 30 kick cycles. Both of the wrecks are not intact but make for a good dive.
More: Bayville barge ...
