1: J. Size of helium, 2 x 18 litres of O2, Deep bail out, shallow bale out, twin set of 10-70, booster pump and Hamworthy compressor. Yes, that should keep us all well toped up.
Its Sunday evening and I’m off to The Downings and Michael McVeigh’s Rosguill for 9 days of diving with Kevin Rainsford and 6 other lads. Well that was the plan. I have just heard that Kevin, Aaron and Gavin can’t make it. That leaves Martin Davies from Cornwall, Tony Florin, Ger Dooley and myself. My good friends, Rez and John Malone will join us mid week.
Monday 15th August 11
Boniface @ 56m.
25 miles out.
Weather 15mph
This was the first time that I had dived the wreck and was amazed at its massive cargo of “Toblerole” bars of copper. Like all of the Donegal wrecks the visibility is at around 30+ mtrs and it’s like diving in an aquarium.
Divers: Martin, Ger, Tony, Peter
Tuesday 16th August 11
Empire Heritage @ 66m
20 miles out.
Weather 25mph. (Worst weather of the Trip)
This wreck is one of my favourites and a photographer’s paradise. Sherman tanks litter the wreck site, like Tonkas toys.
Tony, Martin, Ger, Peter.
Wednesday 17th August 11
Unknown wreck..........
@ 94 mtrs
During the dive it was found to be: Veronicia @ 94m
35 miles out.
Weather 8mph.
This was the first of the unknowns and for John Malone to identify the wreck beyond doubt was an amazing feat.
http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?12400Divers: John, Rez, Martin, Tony, Ger, Peter
Thursday 18th August 11
Amazon @ 115m
35 miles out.
Weather 5mph.
This was the first dive that I had on this massive Mail liner.
http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?11387The conditions were like glass and it was one of those days where you know that it’s going to be a magical dive. The apprehension of the dive disappears as the wreck comes into view at around 70 mtrs. From then on it’s just a case of taking in the vastness of the whole wreck. I look off to my left and I see an upright wreck, where the whole side of the liner has collapsed inwards. I look down below a metre or two below and see Rez and John on the seabed. Off in the distance I see Ger, Martin and Tony.
Divers: Tony, Martin, Ger, Rez, John, Peter.
Friday 19th August 11.
Audacious
15 miles out.
Weather 15mph
Divers Tony, Martin, Ger, Rez.
Saturday 20th August 11..Blowing hard and no dive
Sunday 21st August 11
Roscommon @ 72m
35 miles out
Weather 15mph
Divers: Brian, Ger, Tony, Martin
Monday 22nd August 11
G63 Unknown @ 59m
33 miles out
Weather 3 mph.
Upon dropping down onto the wreck, it was amazing to see the huge engines and the symmetrical steel frame in the distance. Coupled with a huge 450mm pipe that ran the full length of the wreck, it was soon apparent that this was an oil supply ship. Piston con rods that should be vertical now lie in a horizontal position. Although most of us spent around 45 mins on the wreck, her identity remains unknown. This wreck was very interesting and I would gladly welcome a return to it.
Divers: Ger, Tony, Gerry, Martin, Peter
Tuesday 23rd August 11
CE54 Unknown @ 92m
Prior to the dive, upon information received from Michael, we were fairly confident that this was a sub. If it was WW1, there would be a high possibility that it was the sub that sunk the Justacia.
At 75m, the thin outline of a submarine came into view. She was lying slightly to her starboard side, with a small conning tower, which had the hatch open. I immediately thought that this was a WW1 sub, as its whole appearance was similar to that of the U89. With a lot of the outer plating removed from the outer deck, it was quite easy to see the 4 ballast tanks, which was also very similar to the U89. Where additional plates were missing, I had noticed 100mm piping on “Deadlight Sub”, this piping was missing from this sub. At the rear there were two props. It was definitely not a “Dead Light” as the conning tower was a lot smaller. However there was no sign of a gun of any description. Was it ripped off with nets? I believe that this sub needs futher investigation either photographed or videoed before being dismissed, as it may well be The Justacia’s culprit .
Divers: Martin, Rez, Ger, Tony, Peter
Wed 24th August 11
Amazon @ 115m
35 miles out.
Weather 1mph.
As we sailed out to further investigate this “Mother of Wrecks” we all were all aware of the huge decompression obligations that confronted us if we did not achieve our objectives. The difference between a 15 min run time and a 20 minute run time was an extra hour on the bar.
As Ger prepared his unit, it soon became apparent that his unit would not be diveable. There would just be Martin, Rez and myself today.
5 mins after entering the water, we were back on the same location where we had been some days earlier. Each of us was like a child in Hamleys Toystore. It was impossible to decide which area was the most interesting as there was just so much to see in every direction. It’s the vastness of this intact and so easy to navigate wreck that makes it breathtaking. 24 mins after we enter the water, Rez, Martin and myself are back to the shot. First stop is 82 mtrs for 2 mins. Over 3.5 hrs later we get out of the water.
If ever there was a more fitting conclusion to a Tec Trip in Donegal, there can be no better wreck to finish it off with other than a trip to The Amazon. A true masterpiece.
It is with sincere thanks to Michael, without who’s expertise none of the above would have been possible.
Many thanks also to Ger for picking up the mantle and organising the diving at the last minute.
Last but not least, special thanks to Martin, Tony, Rez, John, Gerry and Brian, who’s valuable contributions were very welcomed and really helped make the whole trip a joy to be part of.
