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Kleber
This 7730 ton French cruiser was built in 1902 and struck a mine and sank in the approaches to Brest in 1917. The wreck lies upside-down in 45m. The bolted-on steel armour has been salvaged to leave the teak hull split open along the keel. Guns, ammo, machinery (engine crankshaft above), a landmark in French naval architecture, fish, visibility - it has the lot.
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Westburn
Captured by the German commerce raider Moewe in 1916, the steamship Westburn was used to put prisoners ashore in Santa Cruz before being scuttled just north of the harbour to prevent re-capture by the British cruiser Sutlej. Dense shoals of fish cover the forward quarter of the wreck. The picture shows the shaft and cut-out for the prop.
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ss Excellent
The Excellent was a 1600 ton steel-hulled schooner with additional propulsion from a steam engine and a huge scimitar-bladed propeller. She sank against the wall of the detached mole of Gibraltar harbour following a series of collisions in 1888. A keel-up cavern with colourful gorgonians and soft corals, as shown here on the broken bow
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Sirio
The Italian passenger liner Sirio was built in Glasgow in 1883. On 4 August 1906 she struck Bajo de Fuera off Cabo de Palos on the Spanish coast. In the resulting panic many lives were lost and the captain made off with the contents of the safe. The wreck lies well broken between 50 and 60m. Cousteau called Bajo de Fuera the best diving in the Mediterranean. Above is the propshaft.
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Francisquita
Just a few miles off the north-west of Menorca, the 500 ton coaster Francisquita sprang a leak and foundered in December 1952. The wreck stands upright, rising 10m from a 49m seabed. Expect beautiful visibility and a spiralling shoal of barracuda. This is the stern of the wreck.
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Xlendi
After seven years' service as a ferry between Malta and Gozo, the 260ft Xlendi was sunk as an artificial reef 50m from shore on the south side of Gozo in 1999. The wreck now lies inverted with its deepest point at 40m. Still improving with time.
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Zenobia
Reports blame both problems with a computerised ballast system and operator error for the sinking of this Swedish ro-ro ferry in 1980. A short distance from the harbour at Larnaca, the wreck rises to 15m from a 42m seabed, complete with cargo of 104 articulated lorries. Enthusiasts dive the Zenobia, the whole Zenobia, and nothing but the Zenobia.
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Britannic
Built as a great ocean liner, the Titanic's sister-ship was launched in 1914 and immediately entered military service as a hospital ship. In November 1916 she hit a mine and sank in 120m. One to which serious tekkies aspire.
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Produce
This 390ft-long molasses-carrier is the most popular wreck dive in South Africa, partly because of the generous portions of Aliwal Shoal fish life which have call it home. These include giant brindle bass - African Watersports, which runs "brindle hunts" for divers, says these are as big as VW Beetles! Wrecked in 1974 with no loss of life, the Produce lies in 33m to starboard, broken in half, and reaching up to 16m. It can be subject to strong currents and poor visibility..
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Umbria
When Italy declared war on Britain in 1940, the Italian ship Umbria was at anchor outside Port Sudan. On hearing the news the captain scuttled the ship to prevent the cargo of military supplies from falling into British hands. Less crowded than the Thistlegorm, the Umbria offers live munitions and Fiat limousines.
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Thistlegorm
In the early hours of 6 October 1941, German bombers attacked and sank the Thistlegorm at anchor in the Gulf of Suez. The wreck is partially intact in 30m with all the cargo. All those railway locomotives, motorcycles, trucks, like the one shown, and ammunition are still fun to see despite the crowds.
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Conch
In June 1903 the 3555 ton oil tanker Conch was on her way from Novorossisk to Madras, via Colombo, when she struck a reef north of Hikkaduwa. The Conch sank and broke up in the lee of the reef with the stern in 20m. This is a relaxed dive for the "occasional" holiday diver.
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King Cruiser
The 3000 ton catamaran-hulled King Cruiser ferry had been making a daily run from Phuket to Phi Phi Island 365 days a year for well over a decade. Then, on 4 May 1997, her port hull was ripped open on Anemone Reef. Nearby dive boats and fishing boats soon came to the rescue and no lives were lost. There are massive shoals of fish here like these over the superstructure - the captain could not have chosen a better place.
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HMS Repulse
Patrolling as Force Z, the 32,000 ton battlecruiser HMS Repulse and 43,786 ton battleship HMS Prince of Wales were attacked and sunk off the Malaysian coast by Japanese aircraft on 10 December 1941. Both Repulse and Prince of Wales are protected places (look but don't touch) under UK wreck protection legislation.
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B17 Black Jack
The B17 Flying Fortress "Black Jack" became lost when returning from a bombing mission and was eventually forced to ditch on the reef near Cape Vogel. The crew were rescued by local islanders on their way to church and the wreck now lies at 40m. Of the few diveable B17 wrecks in the world, this is the most intact. Shown is the dorsal turret.
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Hirokawa Maru
The Hirokawa Maru was one of a pair of freighters deliberately grounded in 1942 at Bonegi beach in a desperate Japanese attempt to land supplies for their forces under siege by US Marines. The ship rests on its port side on a sloping sand base with the bow at 5m and the stern past 50m. Easy beach access allows views of all the usual coral reef life like that above - and a sewing machine.
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New York /Rochester
The USS New York was launched in 1891 and saw service through the Spanish - American War and World War One. Subsequently renamed Rochester, in 1933 she was laid up at the Subic Bay naval base and scuttled in 1941 to prevent capture by Japanese forces occupying the Philippines. Get to know it and go end-to-end inside. This diver is entering the wreck through a broken hatchway.
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Yongala
Lost during a cyclone in 1911, the wreck of the steamship Yongala was first identified in 1958. Lying 48 miles from Townsville, it is now protected as a historic site, divers being prohibited from entering or interfering with the wreck. An oasis for big fish on a sea of sand.
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Mikhael Lermontov
It was an error by the New Zealand pilot that led to this 22,000 ton Soviet cruise ship striking the rocks in 1986. The wreck now lies in the sheltered water of Port Gore in 40m. There's lots to explore from basic open water to technical wreck penetration. This is the cylinder head of the diesel engine.
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President Coolidge
Like many luxury liners, the 22,000 ton President Coolidge was converted to a troopship during Word War Two. In October 1942, bound for Espiritu Santo, the Coolidge ran into a "friendly" minefield and sank before it could be beached, the bow in 20m, the stern in 65m. It's as splendid now as in its heyday as a cruise liner.
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Saratoga
One of a fleet of war-surplus ships sunk during the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, the Saratoga rises to 20m from a 55m seabed. Inside the hangar deck are further wrecks of Helldiver dive-bombers and Avenger torpedo-bombers, like the one shown here. At 33,000 tons and 888ft long, the Saratoga is just longer than the Titanic. Bikini is an expensive trip, but offers unequalled diving.
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San Francisco Maru, I68
At a depth of 55m to the seabed and 45m to the deck, the passenger/cargo ship San Francisco Maru is one of the deeper of 41 victims of US attacks sunk during February 1944. Deck cargo includes three light tanks like this one. This is a must for every wreck-diver.
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Iro
The 14,000 ton fleet oiler Iro was one of more than 50 Japanese ships sunk in the lagoons of Palau by US carrier aircraft in March 1944. The wreck lies upside-down in 33m, the port side just supported from the seabed by the superstructures. Less well known than the wrecks of Chuuk, but just as good.
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Prinz Eugen
The German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen survived the war and almost survived the Bikini Atoll bomb tests. This damaged ship was towed to Kwajalein Atoll where it subsequently sank, with the bow in 35m and the rudders breaking the surface. As good as the Bikini battleships and you don't have to get technical. No problem finding this wreck, either.
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Saskatchewan
Located off Nanaimo on Vancouver island, the Saskatchewan is one of four 2,380 ton ex-Royal Canadian Navy destroyers sunk as artificial reefs in British Columbia. It is reported to have brought over $6 million in new tourist revenue to the area. Lots of fish and anemones as big as wellie boots. The picture shows plumose anemones on the railings with the funnel in the background.
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V17 Ipiranga
In 1983 the Brazilian Navy corvette V17 struck the rocks within the marine reserve of Fernando de Noronha. It now rests upright and intact on a 62m seabed, the deck at 53m. This is the star wreck dive in South America.
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Maverick
Once a car ferry running between Trinidad and Tobago, the Maverick was pensioned off when replaced by a larger ship and sunk as an artificial reef in 1997. Well-colonised with fan corals, small hard corals are becoming established. Here's a view of sea-fans decorating the funnel.
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Captain Keith Tibbetts
The ex-Russian frigate 356 was purchased by the Cayman Islands and re-named Captain Keith Tibbetts before being sunk as an artificial reef off Cayman Brac in 1996. The wreck rises to just short of the surface from a 30m seabed. Lots of fish have moved in and the aluminium superstructure is breaking up.
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RMS Rhone
Made famous as the underwater location for the film The Deep, the 2738 ton Royal Mail Ship Rhone was only two years old when she sank in a hurricane in 1867. The 95m iron hull was constructed along traditional clipper lines with masts and sails to supplement a steam engine driving a single propeller. An easy and colourful dive - look closely for gems such as the signal cannon (pictured) and toolkit.
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C58 General Anaya
The Mexican Navy minesweeper C58 is one of two such vessels sunk as artificial reefs off Cozumel in 2000. The wreck stands upright in 25m, rising to 15m. This is the best dive in Cancun, with a school of eagle rays patrolling beside the wreck and, here, a shoal of snapper at the bow.
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Titanic
The world's most famous wreck, this passenger liner sank on her maiden voyage on 15 April 1912 after hitting an iceberg. The wreck was discovered 3840m down in 1985. Accessible only by deep submersibles, it's the world's most expensive wreck dive.
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Vulcan bomber
Not a real wreck, or even a deliberately sunk artificial reef, but a film-set dressed up as a Vulcan bomber for the James Bond film Thunderball, off Nassau. Do it just to score "007" in your logbook.
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Duane
The 340ft US Coastguard cutter Duane was sunk as an artificial reef off Key Largo in 1987, along with her sister ship the Bibb. The wreck rests upright in 35m, a resident shoal of barracuda patrolling above (seen here by the mast) as the Gulf Stream flows overhead. Well covered in small corals and swarming with fish, the Duane gets better every year.
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Kolkhosnik
The Kolkhosnik was heading from Boston to Halifax to join an Atlantic convoy when on 17 January 1942 she struck Smithson rock and sank in 42m. Dive it for the cargo of M3 Grant tanks. Our picture shows the 76mm gun barbette on one of the tanks.
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Hermann Kunne
In April 1940 Royal Navy Destroyers attacked German destroyers and supply ships in Narvik Fjord. Among German losses was the destroyer Hermann Kunne, deliberately beached by her captain to save the crew and prevent capture, then torpedoed by HMS Eskimo. The mangled bow is at the surface and the stern in 40m - the profile is perfect and there is lots to explore on a dive around the stern and back.
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Plus
Aland lies between Sweden and Finland and, resting just off the channel into the main harbour at Mariehamn, the sailing ship Plus is virtually intact, its hull upright in 34m and the mast and rigging fallen to port. The Plus struck the rocks in December 1933, attempting to enter the port without a pilot. This offers a rare opportunity to dive a ship from the great age of wood and sail. The picture shows carved wooden scrollwork supporting the bowsprit
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Clan MacMaster
Located in the strong currents of Calf Sound, the 6563 ton Clan MacMaster struck the rocks on a foggy night in September 1923. Colourful broken wreckage, with a chance of seals coming to play. Shown is the steering quadrant.
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Kowloon Bridge
This 160,000 ton bulk carrier hit the Stags reef in 1986. The bow rises from 30m to just 6m, followed by nine enormous holds with mountains of iron-ore pellets inside. The stern has broken away, perhaps at the infamous "frame 65", suspected to be responsible for the loss of the Derbyshire and a generic weakness of the whole class of ship. You won't appreciate just how big it is until you dive it. This is the anchor.
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Local dive operators can put you on these wrecks, but it may be with only a single cylinder for a non-deco dive. If you want more air or redundancy for serious wreck penetration, take a twinning kit and BC strong enough to hold it.
Confirm in advance that your host allows deco diving. Destinations such as Bikini Atoll are set up only for deco dives, but others have a tradition of non-deco diving for open-water divers.
Sometimes you need to read between the lines. A dive centre may say "no deco diving" to protect itself from litigation yet still accommodate divers equipped to make such dives.
A decompression accident in a remote location could go untreated for days. The dive operator should have an O2 kit with appropriate capacity for the remoteness of the location. Doing two deep deco-dives a day for several days is outside the models used by most tables or computers.
Make sure your travel insurance covers the diving you're doing. Policies are often restricted to non-deco diving to a maximum 30m.
Specialist long-distance dive travel agents can be a great help with the more remote locations. Such agents cannot advertise every destination on their books, so look for one with the right sort of portfolio, then ask if it can take you where you want to go.
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