Cortez Explorers - A PADI 5 Star IDC Center » Thoughts

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…

Baja Nomads is “a must” to check out before traveling South.

Mick Chapman — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:25:19 +0000

BajaNomad Forums

Whenever I am about to head South to Mulegé, I always take time to check Baja Nomad forums (http://forums.bajanomad.com/). The information on road conditions, accommodations and weather can be invaluable. You do not need to subscribe to view the posts and they have nicely segregated the groups into clear sections. The following are ones that I use regularly:

They have other groups as well: Baja Photo Gallery, Baja Travel Companions or Convoys, Baja Political Forum, Baja Restaurant Reviews, Baja Accommodation Reviews and others…

Now, as with all forums, there are a wide spectrum of people sporting their own opinions and agendas. So as usual, you may need to take what you read (especially in the political and review forums) with a pinch of salt. However their factual groups (which I use) – such as road conditions, by people who have just traveled south, are invaluable!

Now, if you are interested in knowing what the fishing is like in any given area, Baja nomads are sometimes helpful, but the definitive site is mexfish – so point your browsers over to http://www.mexfish.com/ -

Gloucestershire service remembers wildlife pioneer

Mick Chapman — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:14:29 +0000

Tributes have been paid to Lady Philippa Scott at a memorial service in Gloucestershire to celebrate her life.

The widow of Sir Peter Scott, the founder of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), died on 5 January, aged 91.

She was a very cool women, being an avid diver, photographer and conservationist. The Scott’s were ahead of the game when it came to understanding the relationship between us and our blue planet.

The whole article can be found here.

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)!

Diving with Whale Sharks & Manta on the Eastern US Seaboard?

Mick Chapman — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:09:12 +0000

It sucks to travel half way around the world to dive with big pelagics, only to find out they they have decided to go on their vacation the same week. However, not 500 miles south of the US border in Bahia de Los Angeles we have Whale Sharks. We would love to guarantee their presence for you, but although they are frequent visitors in the summer months, it is never prudent to guarantee.

Sure, we would really prefer you come with us to dive with Whale Sharks and Mantas in Baja, but we would be remiss if we did not tell you about the offer that the Georgia Aquarium is selling for about $325; Yes, you can dive in their big tank with the Whale Sharks and Mantas!

They are in a tank, right? So no need to worry if they are not there, or have migrated South for better hunting grounds. The other animals you experience are Hammerheads, Napoleon wrasse as well as countless reef species. The are all right there, in front of you without the need for $3000 live-a-board or looong 14 hour flights to remote destinations – they are right THERE.

There is a great write-up and review that can be found here (scubanews.com). The Georgia Aquarium also has a direct link to this program, that can be found here (georgiaaquarium.org).

So if you want to be guaranteed Whale Sharks, I would suggest that this is the place to go!