What has been your favorite dive

**MgicTwnger** · 09-16-2007, 07:06 PM

I've had lots of dives and this one sticks out in my mind:

I got re-certified by chance 10 years ago. I am from the east cost (USA) and had been away from the sport for more years than I care to think about. Shortly after moving to the Midwest I won an open water class in a raffle.
Frankly, it had not occured to me to dive so far from the sea. It didn't take long for me to get bored with quarries and such, so I booked a trip on lake Michigan.

The first dive was to a 250' freighter that sank in the early 50's in 90' of water off of Milwaukee. I'll never forget the thrill of seing this big ship slowly emerge from the gloom as I descended the mooring line. I knew I was hooked on wreck diving then and there.

I've dove that wreck many times since, but the first time is always the best.

So what's your favorite dive?

**glynneco** · 09-17-2007, 12:02 PM

My favorite dive took place early in my dive career as well. It was the a wreck called the "Boiler". A wooden steam ship that sunk in a gale toward the end of the civil war. It was transporting calvary troops. All the humans got off the ship. The horses however did not. It's located a few hundred yards south of Oregon Inlet in NC. The boat dropped anchor and the divemaster slipped in to tie off the the anchor on the wreck. He emerged a little while later to report There was "good vis and some surge". Down the line we went. Vis was about 5ft at the anchor and the surge? Well it was hang on for dear life! Divers hit the anchor and turned right back around and headed up. My (much more experienced) buddy and I headed off onto the wreck he in the lead laying out a wreck line and literally going hand over hand onto the wreck. The vis rapidly dropped to inches and then to zero. I eventually bumbed into his fins and realized he was turning. His wreck lite came into view. A powerful HID light created created a bubble of light in the murky water about 6 inches in diameter. In that bubble I saw his index finger make a quick circle. A clear indication were to turn around. Back the wreck line I went from hand hold to handhold all done by feel. We reached the anchor and vis opened back up to a breathtaking 5 ft. We did our safety stop on the anchor line holing onto it as if blown in a gale.
I gotta say it was the most exhilirating fun I ever had on a dive! I not sure what that says about me though!

**MgicTwnger** · 09-17-2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glynneco

I gotta say it was the most exhilirating fun I ever had on a dive! I not sure what that says about me though!

I know what you mean: sometimes the crappier the conditions the more fun it is. Sometimes not.

**Kev Martin** · 12-17-2007, 02:42 PM

Favourite dives. Always a difficult one. I have had lots of dives over the years and each one has earned a special mention for something unique that I encountered on that particular dive.

I think I have to be a bit more subjective and say that it I really enjoy one type of diving more than the rest. I just love wreck diving.

One particular place that holds good memories for me has to be Scapa Flow where you have the last resting place of the German Fleet sunk towards the end of the First World War. It is a feast for wreck divers and historians alike.
Added to that the spectacular scenery both underwater and up top has to make it one of the most memorable of diving trips.

Bow gun of the V83.jpg

Inside the bow area of the SS Doyle.jpg

Stern of the blockship SS Doyle.jpg

Inside the Tabarka (ex Pollux).jpg

Stern Gun on the F2.jpg