Trip Report 4-23-05
The dock was dark, as we loaded our gear. We were leaving early to check out some “unknown” numbers, far offshore to the East, hence the pre-dawn depature. The weather forecast was for calm winds in the morning with 2-3 foot seas, building to 5-8 in the afternoon. The plan was to hit the furthest one first, then work our way inshore to two other sites. This way when the seas built up in the afternoon we would already be part of the way home.

Captain Steve navigated the John Jack out the inlet, once free of all obstructions he turned the BIG CATS loose. The first set of numbers was over 50 miles from the dock in the direction of the Virginia. As we approached the site, Capt. Steve slowed the boat and commenced a well worn search pattern. Within minutes we started to find small pieces of debris, everyone in the wheelhouse held their collective breaths. As Capt. Steve continued the search pattern he located increasingly larger pieces of wreckage. We eventually found the main wreckage which rose 8-10 ft off the bottom. In addition, we found several large 15 ft high pieces, (boilers?) over 200 ft further away. We dropped the line in and made ready to dive. The 160 ft depth would keep our dive short. Our mate Tom, was the first one down and tied us in. Once the boat was secured to the wreck it rode comfortably on the 2 ft seas. The rest of the divers, suited up, and jumped in. I eagerly awaited Toms return to get the first report. Tom reported that he dropped down into the center of a large debris field, scattered wood in all directions with 40 ft of vis. Tom was not sure if it was an actual wreck or a Barge. His vision may have been clouded by the lobsters that surrounded the tie-in, he managed to bag 5 bugs in less than 15 minutes.

As the rest of the divers returned to the boat, they filled in more of the pieces. Capt. Tex who only bagged 2 bugs, reported scallops “As far as the eye could see”. He had over a dozen with him to prove his point, again, he was not sure if this was a wreck or a Barge. One by one, the other divers told a similar story. Clearly, it would take several more dives to fully explore this wreck, but at this point the seas were starting to build, as expected. Capt. Steve jumped in to pull the hook, so we could chase down the other sets of numbers.

It was a short 5 mile ride back towards home, to the next site. Based on our first success, expectations were high as Capt. Steve throttled down and began to search. This time a large steel wreck immediately jumped off the bottom finder. This wreck appeared to be more intact with 15 ft of relief. As we continue the sonar search, we did not locate any significant wreckage away from the main wreckage. We were salivating in anticipation of what laid below. Unfortunately a second dive was not in our travel plans today. We dutifully noted the location for a future trip.

It was now time to make a decision about the 3rd set of numbers, they lay 14 miles South of our present location. The seas, while building, were still manageable and with hopes running high we turned our bow to the South, ( not the way home) . The Big Cats whined in protest as Capt. Steve led us to our third, and final wreck. Once we heard the engines slow down, we gathered in the wheelhouse around the now familiar bottom finder. Capt Steve commenced his search pattern. This wreck was more elusive than the last. After 20 minutes of searching, we began to find small pieces of wooden wreckage. We eventually found a wreck that was low lying (5-8 ft high) in 170 ft of water. Since the wreck was 10 miles Southeast of the Lillian we feel certain that it lies on a white sand bottom. This wreck will also have to wait for another day.

With over 50 miles to run home we put the seas on our stern, and spooled up the cats. For a day that started out in the dark with a poor forecast, it ended in success. Three wrecks searched for, three wrecks located. A great start for the season. A weary, but happy group of divers, bellies full from a hot, homemade snack, left the boat with anticipation of trips to come.