North Carolina Scuba Diving
![[Atlantic Spadefish are common on N.C. Wreck Dives... photo (c)R.D.Decker, all rights reserved]](spadefsh.jpg)
North Carolina is heralded as one of North America's premier diving locations. With a large variety of shipwrecks laying off the coast, the waters laying off our coast are aptly known as "The Graveyard of the Atlantic." Live bottom areas provide other opportunities for scuba diving. Inside the barrier islands rock jetties and bridges provide even more areas for underwater exploration.
The U-352
A German Submarine (VII-C Class) 218 feet long was sunk April 9, 1942 by the United States Coast Guard Cutter Icarus. This vessel is possibly the most intact and unique wreck in this area. This is the signature dive in the Morehead City area. The maximum depth of the dive is 115 feet.
The PAPOOSE
An American Tanker 412 feet in length, she was torpedoed & sunk on March 3, 1942 by the German Submarine U-124. The vessel is intact & upside down with the hull rising approximately 30 feet off the bottom. Some believe that this wreck is a breeding ground for Atlantic Sand Tiger Sharks. The depth of dive is approximately 125 feet.
The SHURZ
A WW1 German Cruiser, she was captured and refitted by the U.S. near the outbreak off the war. On June 21, 1918 she sank after colliding with the S.S. Florida. Time has taken a heavy toll on this shipwreck. The deck cannons, boilers, & engines are the remaining structures visible making this an excellent dive. Many artifacts are still being recovered. This one of the prettiest dives South of Cape Lookout !! Depth of dive is about 110 feet.
The AEOLUS
A U.S. Cable Layer 439 feet long, she was sank as an "Artificial Reef" and is broken into three major sections. The bow is resting on its port side, the midsection is askew, and the stern section is sitting upright. Some sections have a relief that come within 55 feet of the surface. Maximum depth of dive is around 120 feet.
The HUTTON
An American Oil Tanker 435 feet long, the Hutton was torpedoed & sunk on March 18, 1942 by the German Sub U-124. Although the ship is upright, it was destroyed to a depth of 40 feet. Depth of dive is approximately 70 feet.
The SULOIDE
A Brazilian freighter 338 feet long, this ship was sank on March 26, 1943 after colliding with the sunken hull of the Hutton. The vessel is upright but "Cable Dragging" by the U.S.C.G. Vigilant brought this ship to a minimum depth of 40 feet below the surface. Depth of dive is near 65 feet.
The SENATEUR DUHAMMEL
A converted British armed Trawler 192 feet in length, she sank after colliding with the USS Semmes on April 6, 1942. This vessel was destroyed by the U.S.C.G. Vigilant and is relatively flat to the bottom as she was a hazard to ship navigation.
The NAECO
![[There's no season on North Carolina Spiny Lobster.]](captbobby.jpg)
An American Oil Tanker 411 feet long, this vessel was torpedoed & sank by the German Submarine U-124 on March 23, 1942. This wreck is broken in two making each section a separate dive. Although it is sitting upright & diving is excellent, due to the depth & distance from shore this is not normally dove. Special charters can be arranged. Advanced computer divers are preferred. Depth of dive is near 140 feet.
The HARDEES Reef
This Yard Oiler, 174 feet long, was sank as an artificial reef. The vessel is upright & intact. It is considered a very easy dive. Depth of dive is around 100 feet.
The ATLAS
An American Oil Tanker 430 feet long, it was torpedoed & sank by the German Sub U-552 on April 9, 1942. The vessel is upright & semi-intact as it is broken into 3 pieces with the upper piece of structure rising to within 90 feet of the surface. This wreck hosts a large number of Atlantic Sand Tiger sharks, but visibility may be less than what is found on the southside wrecks. Depth of dive is approximately 125 feet.
The CARIBESEA
An American Freighter 251 feet in length, the ship was torpedoed & sunk by the German Sub U-158. The wreck is upright but subsequent attacks by depth charges during the war years has leveled most of the wreck except for the Bow section. This is one of the best dives in the area with a small contingent of Atlantic Sand Tiger sharks that seem to have made this wreck their home!! Artifacts are still being recovered off this wreck. The depth of dive is around 80 feet.
The ASHKABAD
This Russian Oil Tanker 400 feet long was torpedoed & sank by the German Sub U-402 on April 29, 1942. This wreck was demolished by explosives to a depth of 40 feet making this a most picturesque dive. Recently, hurricanes have uncovered new sections of this wreck and many artifacts are being discovered. Depth of dive is approximately 55 feet.
The AMAGANSANT
A 140 feet long Menhaden boat sank during a storm. She was intact & laying on her starboard side. In June of 1995, this vessel was torn apart somehow & the Bow section now sits pointed upward. Large grouper can be found here as well as many tropical fish. Depth of dive is approximately. 125 feet.
The PORTLAND
![[Spearfishing while scuba diving can be very productive.]](spearfish.jpg)
A Panamanian Freighter 289 feet long, she sank after running aground. The vessel is intact & considered a World Class dive but due to the vicinity of the shoals at Cape Lookout, visibility can range from 50 feet to as little as 5 inches depending on the wind direction. This is an excellent dive when the winds are from the N.E. or the N.W. Depth of dive is about 55 feet.
![[Catch Marlin, dolphin, king fish, mahi mahi, tuna on offshore fishing charters]](marlinlft.gif)
![[Catch redfish, sea trout, flounder, false albacore on light tackle and fly fishing charters]](marlinrht.gif)