SPIEGEL GROVE

The Spiegel Grove is a 510 foot US Navy Landing Ship Dock which was sunk in 2002, becoming the largest ever deliberately sunk artificial reef at the time. She sank prematurely while being positioned, and marine experts then rolled her on to her starboard side and finished the job. The aim was to lessen the pressure from divers on the natural reefs of the Florida Keys and also to provide a new marine habitat for the abundant sea life of the area.

She was commissioned to transport landing craft and combat troops for shore landings during the Cold War. The Spiegel Grove was involved in cargo shipments, naval exercises and testing in the Caribbean and Mediterranean and was also involved in manned space flights. Although the ship was transferred from the Reserve Fleet to Key Largo dive representatives at no cost, the cleaning, towage fees and sinking all had to be financed by the new owners.

At least two dives are needed to explore the Spiegel Grove. She lies 6 miles off Key Largo, within the Marine Sanctuary where the water is 130 feet deep. The depth range on the wreck is 45 to 130 feet and the currents can be unpredictable. This is a good wreck for nitrox divers. Sponges and corals have already begun to colonise the wreck and fish and other marine life have set up home there.

There is a lot for novice divers to see on the upper decks and the more experienced will enjoy entering the huge hull. On clear days the wreck can be viewed by snorkelers at the surface.

From July 2005 divers can get a whole new perspective on the wreck following the passage of Hurricane Dennis over the Florida area. The hurricane’s effects on the sea, including fierce currents and 7m high waves, caused the Spiegel Grove to move into the upright position which was always intended for her.

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary temporarily closed access to the wreck to check on the stability of her new position and to allow new mooring buoys to be installed to replace those destroyed in the hurricane.

THE DUANE & THE BIBB

These sister ships are famous as two of the most popular dives in the Upper Keys.

The Duane was built in 1935 and the Bibb in 1937. Both are 327 feet long with a 41 foot beam. The Duane was a US Coastguard cutter patrolling the Florida coast in World War II, moving to Europe for the Normandy landings as well as doing service in Vietnam. When her combat service was over she was assigned to search and rescue duties, finally being de-commissioned in 1985.

The Bibb served in patrol and convoy escort duties during World War II, ending the war at Okinawa in 1945. She also saw service in Vietnam and, like the Duane, her enduring legacy is measured in the rescues she undertook.

When the ships were de-commissioned a consortium of dive shops and organisations arranged for their preparation to become artificial reefs. Doors were removed and the lower compartments were sealed up. Both ships were sunk in 1987.

The Duane lies 6 nautical miles offshore, outside the protective reef line so that currents are strong. There are buoys at the bow and stern and divers descend following these lines. The Duane sits in 120 feet of water in an upright position with the top of the superstructure at 40 feet. Viz is often more than 100 feet and the hull can be penetrated by wreck divers.

The hull is heavily encrusted with corals and jewfish, amberjacks, cobia and turtles can be seen. Barracuda patrol the wreck at about 50 feet. There is not so much to see deeper than 100 feet so the shallower parts of the wreck are best to explore.

The Bibb is less frequently dived as she sits on her side in 130 feet of water. Like the Duane she sits outside the reef line making her subject to strong currents, and dives are shorter as the whole wreck is at greater depths (the port gunnel railing is at 95 feet). Penetration into the wreck is not recommended as it is very easy to become disorientated or entangled in the loose wiring inside. The fish and sea life is very similar to that seen on the Duane.