NEWSLETTER December
10, 2001
Members may submit articles
for future editions. This is issue no. 10
Equipment Maintenance Workshop Report
Peggy’s News
DA Dive Log
DA
Dive Plan
Aquarium
Information
Old
Shipwreck Stories
November
DA Meeting Minutes, Unapproved
DA
Calendar
(Please see Al
Nesterok,
at our December 17 meeting)
DA
4th Annual Equipment Maintenance Workshop
Divers
Anonymous held its 4th annual dive equipment maintenance workshop at
Great Notch Fire House on Sunday, November 18 at 3PM. Connie, Leo, Norva, Tom,
Ian, Al, and Derrik were there to do end of year maintenance on their scuba
gear. Al gave a workshop on BCD’s, tanks, and dive suits. Tom gave a workshop
on regulators, dry suits, and underwater propulsion vehicles. Norva did some
knitting as well.
It’s amazing
how much sand and salt accumulates in gear used for a full dive season. Gear
properly cleaned and stored can last a long time.
After the
workshop everyone there enjoyed some pizza and soda compliments of Divers Anonymous.
Thanks, Ian,
for the use of the Fire House.
Peggy’s
News
From the Clean Ocean Action Advocate - November 2001http://www.cleanoceanaction.org/------Captain's
vigilance at Sea Protects Fishing Wreck- - -
DA Dive Log
Please
give us a report of your favorite dive of the 2001 season so we can publish it in
our next newsletter. Bring them in to the next meeting, Dec 17.
Here to start things off is Rich Mullen’s report
Richie Mullen 2001 Dive Season
Rich Mullen reported doing 83 dives this season. The first dive was on April 7 at Dutch Springs with Paul Ward and Gray Mullen with air temp at 58F; water temp at 38F and Vis was greater than 40 feet. The last dive of the season was with Tom Gormley on Dec 7 at Atlantic Highland’s old railroad bridge doing drift dive into Sandy Hook State Park with air temp at 70F, water temp at 55F and vis less than 3 foot.
I had many favorite dives this season and only one unpleasant dive (aborted shore dive with 3 surf and strong long shore current). My favorite dives this season were: (1) dove aboard OL’ Salty II on Jul 1 with Ben and Mike and dove to 115” to visit the remains of Coney Island with greater than 25 foot vis; (2) Sept 6 shore dive with Tom, Ben and Ian at Mantoloking where we dove the site of John Minturn ship wreck and discovered and retrieved its anchor; and (3) many shore dives with Tom and Ben looking for new wrecks and artifacts.
Boat Dive Log
Ben and Mike went to St Thomas and dove for
artifacts off the SS Marvin. They found some interesting artifacts including
some old bottles, plates, and a tinsmith hammer. The weather was more than they
could hope for being in the high 80’s every day. The water was also in the 80’s
and was clear until the boys started digging. There is a NOAA report about a
giant dirt cloud coming out of the Caribbean into the Gulf Stream and slowly
moving northward.
Hopefully they bring some of their booty to display
at this coming meeting. It should be interesting.
Ian finally got to go away to the Florida Keys after
being blown out by Hurricane Michelle last month. He plans to do several boat
dives, which we would like to hear about at this coming meeting. We are hoping
for some nice pictures coming from Ian’s digital camera system.
Shore Dive Log
· Thur/Nov 1 – The first 2 dives started at 8:30am at high slack tide at Manasquan RR Bridge with Tom as Instructor, Rich as AI and four open water students. After first two dives, Tom and Rich M had lunch and headed over to Sandy Hook State Park. We accidentally intruded onto the nude beach on the ocean side of park looking for possible new dive sites. After this uncovering experience, we decided this was not a good dive site and headed to bayside where we dove the remains of old steamboat dock pilings across from Fort Hancock Museum. The air temp was up to 68F, water temp was 58F and Vis was 7-foot. We discovered lots of broken plates and some intact bottles, including an old green blown glass bottle with rounded bottom and an old whiskey flask. We dove for over 2 hours and had to return to shore to empty our overloaded goody bags full of stuff. This was a shallow dive, but very exciting finding some many plates and bottles.
· Sun/Nov 4 – The day after Rick and Edith’s wedding - Tom, Ben and Rich returned to old steamboat dock pilings to further investigate area and look for more artifacts. Another beautiful day with air temp at 58F, water temp at 57F and Vis up to 14 foot. We all found more broken plates and bottles, including Rich finding a black bottle and Tom finding a fully intact clear glass medicine bottle with glass insert top.
· Sun/Nov 11 – Cold windy day with air temp at 45F. Tom and Rich did 2 shore dives. First dive at Allenhurst L-shaped jetty with water temp at 55F and Vis 4 foot. Tom tried out his new underwater scooter and it was fun, but carrying the 54lb scooter to/from dive site was not fun. The second dive we headed back to Sandy Hook to continue to investigate old steamboat dock pilings.
· Thur/Nov 15 – Tom and Rich returned to old steamboat dock pilings to further investigate area and look for more artifacts. The air temp was 64F, water temp was 55F and Vis was up to 14 feet. Tom used underwater scooter and we found a few more plates and bottles.
· Thur/Nov 29 – Tom, Ben and Rich returned to old steamboat dock pilings to further investigate area and look for more artifacts. We started dive at 8:30am with air temp at 55F, water temp at 52F and Vis was down to 3 feet. This time we did not find any additional interesting artifacts.
· Sun/Dec 2 – Tom and Rich dove the old train bridge footings located just north of Atlantic Highlands Bridge outside of Sandy Hook State Park during high slack tide. The first set of concrete footing is located in 15 foot of water with sandy bottom with lots of orange spongers and other interesting sea growth about. Further out towards the wooden pilings the bottom began to drop steeply downwards into total darkness and we decided to revisit when the Vis was better than 3 foot due to plentiful fishing line about and soon to be very strong currents. We then did a strong drift dive toward Plum Island in the Shrewsbury River. We collected several not too old bottles along the drift, and exited when the current got too strong to hold the bottom.
· Thur/Dec 7 – Tom and Rich returned to old train bridge footing for further investigation. It was a beautiful unseasonable sunny day with air temp at 70F. We arrived a little late and missing peak high slack tide so decided to do an outward current drift dive from bridge area into State Park along the Shrewsbury. We discovered lots of bottles and other junk, most of which look like they were discarded by careless fishermen. This location is a fun easy spot to do a current drift dive while filling your goody bag with lots of bottles. So far we have recovered several soda, beer, and whiskey bottles. No gems yet!
Aquarium
Information
Here is the
information for our trip to the NY Aquarium planned for Sunday, February 3. Put
it on your calendar.
EXPERIENCE
DOLPHINS UNDERWATER!
Winter, 2001 -- The Atlantic
bottlenose dolphins at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island have returned to
their winter home and are almost close enough to touch! Tab and Presley can now be viewed every day
in our Oceanic exhibit with both above- and below-water viewing. Only in the winter can visitors enjoy a warm
and pleasant indoor experience with our dolphins. All the Aquarium's exhibits
can be experienced indoors at this time of the year. Go south for the winter - visit our dolphins
in Coney Island.
A Wildlife
Conservation Society park, the Aquarium's ticket booth opens every day of the
year at 10 a.m. and remains open until 4:30 p.m. (6 p.m. on summer holidays and
weekends). General admission is $9.75, and $6.00 for children 2-12 years of age
and senior citizens, 65 and older; children under 2 years of age are admitted
free. The parking fee includes one adult
admission. The Aquarium is located at West 8th Street and Surf Avenue in Coney
Island.
For
directions, information on public events and programs, and other Aquarium
Information,
please call 718-265-FISH or visit our web site at
Old Shipwreck Stories
Panama divers mull riddle of Columbus-era galleon
By Tim Gaynor
NOMBRE DE DIOS, Panama, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Half starved and adrift in a
leaking boat; did Christopher Columbus eat a last meal of foraged turtle and
coconuts before cutting his losses and heading for home?
If divers salvaging the wreck of an early 16th century galleon lying
off Panama's Caribbean coast are right in their hunch, a slew of details about
the Genoese explorer's fourth and final voyage of discovery could soon surface.
Researchers believe a growing haul of coral-encrusted canons, pottery
shards and food remains salvaged from the wreck in shallow waters off Panama's
Colon province all point to the likelihood it is Columbus' ship La Vizcaina.
The twin-masted vessel, weighing around 100 ton (ne) s, was among four
early caravels that sailed Panama's Atlantic coast in 1503 in a failed bid to
found a colony at the mouth of the jungle-fringed Belen river.
Routed by hostile Indian tribes and with one vessel sunk, Columbus and
his 150-man crew set sail once more, brought low by fevers, rotten food and the
poor state of their worm-infested ships.
As the ragtag and starving flotilla prepared for a desperate return
voyage to Spain, the Vizcaina began to leak heavily. Stripped of valuable
rigging for the long journey home, Columbus ordered it sunk.
"All the artifacts that we have recovered date the wreck to the
early 1500s," Carlos Fitzgerald, National Culture Institute heritage
director, told Reuters. "There is strong circumstantial evidence to
suggest it is the Vizcaina."
FINDS DATE WRECK TO COLUMBUS ERA
Partly hidden by a rising curl of air bubbles, salvage diver Warren White
ties a thick shank of rope round the coral-gnarled canon -- lying in 20 feet
(six meters) of water -- and gestures to the winch crew to start hauling.
Divers identify a swivel-mounted Lombard’s cannon lying on the salvage vessel's
deck. Researchers say the unreliable, early breach loading weapons were used to
arm Columbus' expeditions, and they help date the find.
"These things just blew out. They did more damage to the crew than
the enemy did," said White, a Florida-based salvage diver who discovered
the wreck in 1997 while snorkeling. "The Spanish stopped using them after
1520."
Timbers raised from the hull also tell a tale. Hammered together using
wooden pegs common to shipbuilders in the 1400s, the planks were not sealed in
a protective lead sheet in line with early 16th century Spanish directives.
"An order came from Seville in 1508 to line ships with lead to
protect the hull from worms," said White, a diver with more than four
decades experience. "There was no lead on this boat."
A haul of pottery shards, identified as shattered amphorae commonly
used by Renaissance navigators to ship olive oil to the New World, have also
been retrieved from the wreck, adding to growing timeline evidence. Found
resting on a bed of white sand a few yards (meters) from the palm-fringed
beach, the vessel had its anchors set ready to sail and had been stripped of
mast bands, rigging blocks and the crews' possessions.
"It's a ship that's been abandoned," said Nilda Vasquez, the
cultural institute's underwater operations coordinator and a veteran wreck
diver. "There was no rigging, no personal belongings, just the artillery
left on board."
Found several miles (kilometers) east of the spot where the Vizcaina
was recorded as having have sunk, the wreck could also be that of a ship of
Conquistador Francisco Pizarro, the National Cultural Institute said.
TURTLE REMAINS TELL OF A STARVING CREW
While divers continue to search for a signature nameplate, ship's bell
or coin traditionally left by builders beneath the topmast to identify the
wreck, food remains found at the site tell a tale of hunger.
Aged turtle bones, scallops and coconut shells found among coral
flecked detritus in the ship's hold indicate that the crew had exhausted food
supplies and resorted to foraging.
"Columbus said the crew was starving and that the ship was in bad
shape. Everything that we have found backs that up," White said, dripping
water on the salvage boat's deck. "These guys were foraging for
food."
The recovered turtle bones and coconuts have been sent to a laboratory
for radio carbon dating. Salvaged canons and timbers have been placed in
saltwater storage tanks at a laboratory in nearby Portobello, while researchers
prepare to clear them of crusted coral for closer identification.
Meanwhile, salvagers working with cultural institute archeologists and
commercial backers Conquest Panama Inc. and Investigaciones Marinas del Istmo
S.A., feel circumstantial evidence points to the ship belonging to Columbus,
who left the New World in 1504 and died two years later in Spain.
"If I were an investigating magistrate," White said with a
wry grin, "I would say there was enough circumstantial evidence to charge
Christopher Columbus with abandonment."
____________________________________________________________________
November Meeting Minutes (accepted
12-17-2001)
Next Meeting Note: Our next meeting will be held on Monday, December 17 at 7:30PM at Mario’s Restaurant in the back room. Our Second Annual Artifact Story and Exhibit Contest will begin around 8PM.
Divers Anonymous Minutes
Divers Anonymous Scuba Dive Club
Mario’s Restaurant / 710 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton, NJ
November 28, 2001 - Monthly Meeting Minutes
Members Present
Richard Bertoldi Fred
Marcus
Edith Farmer Connie
Mazur
Ian Fryer Leo Marzur
Norva Gormley Richard
Mullen
Tom Gormley Al Nesterok
Ben
Gualano Christine
Nesterok
Mike Lacatena Lara
Padula
The meeting began at 7:30 pm / 14
of 34 active members were present.
Meeting Minutes The October 29, 2001 meeting minutes were make available to
members via Internet for advanced review and accepted unread by members
present.
Executive Committee Reports
President’s Report / Tom Gormley
Tom reviewed past month’s activities and
upcoming events.
Our 4th Annual Scuba Equipment
Maintenance Workshop was held on Nov 18 and it was a great success - thanks to
Ian for letting us use his firehouse once again.
It was suggested our club reserve a table at
the February Flea Market to be held at Toms River High School. Some members present thought this might be a
good idea for us to advertise our club and to sell old equipment. Approval to
proceed was given by members.
Tonight’s guest speaker Frank Copren to talk about Abysmal dive gear could
not make it and Edith volunteered to show us some scuba diving video taken on
her recent honeymoon with Rick in Australia.
Tom is still offering to make available diver
alert signaling device at his cost of $30 to all club members. Great Xmas gift - it is hoped you will never
need it, but this emergency signaling device could help save the day should you
ever get separated from the dive boat.
Tom has contacted Scuba Too to make at least 4
Sunday boat dive arrangements for 2002 season.
Like this season, these boat dives will be used for only near-shore
dives exploring local wrecks and is great for easy diving and introduction to
NJ boat diving. If interested in other
deeper wreck dives for Saturday, contact Tom and he can make additional
arrangements if 3 or more persons can make advanced signup commitment.
Details to follow and reservation will be
based upon first-paid, first serviced basis.
Dec 17 club meeting will include
this year’s found artifact contest. Bring
in item(s) found this year along with brief story for judging and prizes.
Jan 14 will be planning meeting to discuss
2002 diving season. Meeting will be held
at 6-Brothers Dinner on Rt 46 East to start at 7:00pm. All members are invited to attend or give
your ideas. Tom, Al, Rich, Norva, and Ian indicated they would attend.
Jan or Feb club meeting may have
Ted from Sea Dwellers as guest speaker to talk about “How to become rebreather
certified.
Treasurer
Report / Lara Padula
Vice President’s Report / Al
Nesterok
Al provided updated status report
for our Annual Holiday Party to be held on January 12 at Carlos in
Secretary Report / Richard Mullen
Minutes from our October meeting were accepted
unread as members had opportunity to review prior to meeting. Pizza and soda
was available for $5+$2. The total bill
came to $76.68 with $8 leftover to be applied towards next meeting expenses.
Special Committees Reports
Safety & Training Committee / Ian Fryer
Nothing special is planned at this
time. If you have any special requests
and/or suggestions, contact Ian.
Local Dive Committee / Tom, Ben, Rick
No special dive events are
scheduled for December.
For 2002 season, contact: (1) Tom
for Scuba Too Sat wreck dives and Sun near-shore wreck dives; (2) Ben for Sea
Inn wreck dives to predetermined wreck sites for artifact digging; (3) Rick for
Old Salty dive boat schedule; and (4) Chris deLuise may schedule Div II for
some local and remote wreck diving opportunities. Also, club member Gray Mullen is very active
diving aboard the Venture III and Dina Dee.
Contact the above parties if you want to start making advanced arrangements
for your 2002 dive season.
Travel Committee / Norva Gormley
There was no new material
presented at this time. Anyone with
travel ideas, discuss with Norva, as other members might be interested.
Special Event Committee / Rick
Farmer (absent due to family member illness)
There are no special club events
under development. It was suggested we
consider some kind of club outing for off-season time period. Any suggestions - skiing, NYC marine museum,
visit NJ Battleship, movie night, sightseeing, …etc.
Web Site Committee / Rick Farmer
Our web site http://diversanonymous.org is still not up due to registration and configuration problems. It is hopeful it will be up and running before next dive season
Newsletter/Calendar
Committee / Tom Gormley
Members are encouraged to provide Tom
with dive reports, current event reports, items for sale or other pertinent
related matters for inclusion into our club’s monthly newsletter prior to the
10th of each month. Members
are encouraged to share their past month’s diving experiences.
Legislative Committee / Richard
Mullen
The NJCDC will once again have a
table at BTS Expo to be held on March 22~24 at
Rich explained about recent fight against the
Lobster Board of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approval of
the Lobster Conservation Management Team proposal to adopt maximum gauge size
for lobsters taken in NJ waters. Our
club sent a letter in support of NJCDC to support their petition to oppose
setting of any max size as inappropriate for recreational fishery and scuba
divers.
Old Business
No old business was brought at
this time.
New Business
No new business was brought at
this time.
Guest Speakers
None – Edith showed us
some scuba diving video taken on her and Rick while diving in
The meeting and speakers finished at about 9:30 PM.
Minutes are submitted by Divers Anonymous
Secretary, Rich Mullen