EXAMPLES OF THE DIVE SITES YOU WILL BE ABLE TO VISIT

Information is provided for historical value, entertainment and home use only. Some of the dive techniques and conditions portrayed are beyond the scope of recreational dive training in general and well beyond the dive training offered by instructor David Gallo.

That said every one of these dive sites is well within the grasp of a properly trained and equipped recreational divers.

THE USS SAN DIEGO

The San Diego is a very popular wreck for divers of many skill levels.  Many consider it the grand-daddy of NY shipwrecks.  I often try to use this site for the open water portion of my Local Wreck Dive Course. This is a BIG ONE and has lots to offer to all.

Some Details:

She was built by Union Iron Works of San Francisco and first launched as “The California” on April 28, 1904. This armored battle cruiser was commissioned by the US Navy on August 1, 1907.  At 503'-11" long by 69'-7" wide and having a displacement of 13,680 tons the ship was large by any measure.

Early in her career she proudly served as part of Theodore Roosevelt's Great White Fleet.  Her twin props propelled her to a top speed of 22 knots and her armament included 18 three inch guns, 14 six inch guns all mounted in side turrets, four eight inch guns and two 18 inch torpedo tubes.

On September 1, 1914, she was re-named the USS San Diego and served as the flag-ship for the Pacific fleet.

On the night of July 19, 1918 at 11:23 AM the proud ship hit a mine which tore a huge hole in the port side.  Soon one of her boilers ruptured and an ammunition magazine exploded, both causing further damage to the doomed ship while causing an alarming list to port-side.

Assuming an enemy submarine was in the area the Captain ordered all officers and shipmen quickly  to battle stations. Guns were fired at all possible targets but to no avail.

Bravely fighting the men stayed at their posts while the ship sank into the water.

When no other action was possible Captain Christy shouted the  final order  " All hands abandon ship ".

At 11:51 AM The Diego sank to the bottom.

A true naval commander, Captain Christy was the last man to leave his beloved ship. As The Diego was turning over and becoming consumed by the sea, the Captain made his way from the listing bridge down several companion ways to the boat deck and over the side by the armor belt. Then leaping four feet to the bilge keel, he finally jumped overboard from the docking keel which was then only a few feet from the water.

As Captain Christy left his command, the crewmen in the life boats cheered him and started to sing the American National Anthem.

---

Interesting video Cap. Berg made while diving the ship in 1997

Please note this video contains divers doing technical-level wreck penetration and artifact recovery. While we will cover many aspects of penetration, this course will not provide you with the necessacary level of knowlege and skills required to do the silly things the divers do in the video.

---

The Grecian

Vessel Type: Freighter

Built: 1900  Wilmington, DE

Tonnage: 2,827

Propulsion : Steam / Propellers

Sank: May 27, 1932 due to Collision with passenger ship City of Chattanooga

Loss of life: 4 crew

Location: 5 miles south of Southeast Point, Block Island, RI

(accessible from Montauk, LI)

Wreck Depth: 110 feet salt water

Here is a short video of me and by buddy Elliot diving the wreck of The Grecian. This short film was created to show some basic wreck-reel work and includes many examples of what to do, and not to do, with a reel.

Please note, while this video shows a technical, mixed gas and decompression dive on the site this shipwreck is well within recreational limits with proper training.

click image to view video of The Grecian.