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Unknown Ship Wreck Named… (We Think)

Mick Chapman — Sun, 30 May 2010 16:51:32 +0000

I have actually being doing some research just this morning, and have only found two US Warships that had twin screws that were sold to Mexico after WWII. Both are destroyers, and indeed sister ships of the Fletcher Class. They are the DD573, the USS Harrison, and the DD574, the USS John Rodgers. Both were built, along with the 173 others between 1941 and 1943. The Fletcher class Destroyers saw action everywhere, and sustained heavy losses in the Pacific theatre. Of the two mentioned above, the John Rodgers sadly is now laying derelict alongside some pier in Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico. I would LOVE to be able to bring her here and sink her as an artificial reef, guns and all!!
The ship then that I believe this wreck to be is, or rather was, the USS Harrison. She was loaned to the Mexican Navy on May 1st 1968, and commissioned into service that same day as the BAM Cuauhtemoc (E-01). The name Cuauhtemoc was in honour of the last Aztec Emperor of Mexico. She was then used as a fast patrol vessel ranging from Endenada down to Cabo SL and up into the Sea of Cortez. She was stricken (taken off the books) of the US Navy and sold to Mexico formally on 19th August 1970. She was finally decommissioned by the Mexican Government in 1982.

I could be wrong about this wreck, but everything I have read this morning leads to her ID. The length is about correct, as is her beam. The round bridge and the more angular pilot house were destinctive features of the Fletcher class. Her twin screws match also. I need more dives on her, and to take some form of measuring device down with me, a slate, pencil and a camera, or two. Not too mention a couple of tanks and a dive computer. However, no matter her name, or her origin, her fate placed her on the bottom in divable depths, and she has become the home of so much in the way of marine life. I thank the Mexican Government for the foresight in placing her where she lies.

I do have other info on the USS Harrison should anyone be interested, but nothing on her time in Mexican hands. Maybe that’s for the future…

WWII Wreck Dive with Whale Shark Sightings…

Mick Chapman — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:50:17 +0000

Yesterday, Thursday May 20th, I was in my office, and I was conducting two wreck dives on a pre WWII US Warship that was sold to the Mexican Government (name unknown) not far from here.

This warship was sunk as an artificial reef by the Mexican authorities about eight to ten years ago. Sadly they removed the guns, but opened up the ship to divers by cutting penetration holes all around the ship. Magic!! Whatever she is called, she looks glorious in her new colours of black coral, encrusting sponges of all colours, that literally festoon the ship.

She is twin screwed, and twin ruddered, all of which are still in position, and offer so much in the way of photography. She is about 11m/36ft to the upper decking, and sits upright on the sand at a depth of 23m/76ft. So this beautiful wreck is for every diver, including juniors of a young age.

The viz was about 18-20m/60-66ft, the water warm, with so much in the way of marine life. Huge File Fish, Cortez Angels, free swimming and hidden Morays, fair sized to large Grouper. The list is too long to mention. Between dives we went off to a nearby island, and had our lunch/surface interval. There, there is a bay that comes straight ouf a Jamaican travel brochure. Just beautiful!!

Then it was back to the wreck for the second dive, which was equally glorious to say the least. On the return to shore, and after off loading the dive gear, tanks, BCD’s etc, just as I was about to wave the boat off, there it was, some kilometer (3/4 mile) offshore, a large black roundish fin. I did a double take, got …

We all scrambled back into the boat, mask, snorkel and fins in hand and were snorkeling with a 4m/13ft baby whale shark some minutes later. No one, including myself had a underwater camera with them, and so I managed only to get one shot off of this spotted youngster before gently sliding into the water with her.

We had I suppose some 35 to 40 minutes, but it was worth it and the workout that went with it for sure. She represents the first whale shark of the season here, but she is about the 15th or 16th that I have had the sheer utter pleasure of being in the water with over the last six months. Just another day in my office!!

I think that will be the last good dive for myself for about two weeks as I am starting an Instructor Development Course starting this coming Wednesday, May 26th. Then it is out and out teaching for eight days, plus then two days of exams for my Candidates. I wish them all well for their IDC and afterwards in their diving careers!!

A trip to Bahia de Los Angeles

Mick Chapman — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:32:35 +0000

Heading into Bahia de Los Angeles

Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja, is about an 8 hour drive from the San Diego border; it is 40 minutes, by good road, from Route 1, yet is is rarely visited by people heading south.

In the summer the waters heat to the low 80s and as there are currents in the area, the water remains clear; offering excellent visabilty and photographic opportunities.

There are several large islands offshore which funnel large pelagics, often confined to 20/30 miles off of the coast, to come much closer inland. Blue Whales and Whale Sharks, (some of the most sought after animals to view), can be found just minutes from the beach.

The town itself is basic, but there are small hotels to accomodate your needs. One of the newer and most popular places to stay is Costa del Sol. It is clean, very well located (in town) and the service is excellent. To view a complete list of accomodations in the area view http://www.bahiadelosangeles.info/.

Overlooking the bay.

During the summer there are several fisherman that will take you out on their Pangas and look for Whales and Whale Sharks. In Mulegé we occasionally see Whale Sharks as well as Blue and Fin Whales. However, if you are looking for a more guaranteed approach to finding the giants of the sea, then take a diversion from your planned trip South (or North) and stop off in Bahia de Los Angeles.

The weather in the summer is not as oppressive as it can be further South. However you are still looking at the thermometer reaching into the nineties by early August. The waters here are cooler, however. This is due to the unique topography of the surround large islands and inlets. These islands serve to push the cooler, deeper, waters of the Sea of Cortez, up to the surface. This upwelling brings nutrients and becomes a perfect place for large pelagic fish to feed. Visibility is usually good, over 80′; and while you are never guaranteed to see anything on any given day – your chances here are better than almost anywhere else on the planet.

Cortez Explorers will be taking several excursions North, from our home base of Mulegé, this summer. Most of the viewing of whales and whale sharks are done from Pangas and with just a snorkel and fins. So even those who are not certified SCUBA divers are more than welcome to join us. If you are interested in coming with us, please feel free to contact us to find out more information on up-and-coming trips.

Humboldt Squid Diving…

Mick Chapman — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:07:17 +0000

Diablo Rojo…

A short while back, we were on assignment diving and filming the humboldt squid that inhabit the Baja waters close by to the Dive Center. This is not a dive for the faint of heart, but is great fun at the same time. The local fisherman call them “Diablo Rojo” or “Red Devil” as they have a reputation more fearsome, and as much unfounded, as the Shark. That isn’t to say that these creatures are not to be respected, but a dive with them is very much something to add to your ‘Honey-Do’ list.

To dive with them, we first jig to bring them to the surface, then the divers have to be attached to the boat above to stop being potentially pulled down deeper by the squid, so we use a harness directly attached to the boat. Then the diver simply hangs in mid water at about 12m/40ft and films, watches and plays with the squid. Now unlike most videos you see online about them, we are/were able to film them in the day – this makes for an experience that isn’t quite as nerve-wracking and opens the experience up for more people.

Okay, well “plays with” is really a misnomer as they come in and out of view, approach, sometimes lock on, and disappear just as quick. It is them “playing” with us really. This is something that is quite new for us here at Cortez Explorers, but something that we will be pursuing into 2010 and beyond.

When one sees these animals cannibalizing each other in front of your mask, one feels quite amazed, to say the least!! Unfortunately, we have no video from the dives as it is rights protected, but next time we go it will be for ourselves, (and you)!

Seahorse Pictures.

Mick Chapman — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:33:23 +0000

As promised, here are some pictures of the Seahorse we found in the shallows of Punta Prieta. Off of the reef edge the bay becomes a sandy bottom with patches of seaweed holding fast to the rocks.

Baja SCUBA diving in these small oasis’ you can find all types of invertebrate life, octopus scurrying from rock to rock, small cleaning shrimps and on occasion a cuttlefish. However, what is a rarer sight is to see any vertebrate over the size of a Blenny or juvenile fish hanging in the weeds for shelter.

So it was indeed a great pleasure to see this little guy (or gal), hanging out on such a small pad of plant life. As it was so isolated from the rest of the reef, we managed to find the same location on separate dives on separate days; if it was on the reef, we would not have had such luck.

Seahorse and Mick

He stayed on this outcropping for several days.

Judy attempts to get just a little closer to the Seahorse