Spiegel Grove now upright

http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20050711/APN/507111171

Dennis fixes problem with largest ship sunk as artificial reef

The Associated Press


July 11. 2005 11:03PM

In the wake of Hurricane Dennis, a miscue with the largest intentionally
sunk ship in the world was found Monday to have been put right.

The former USS Spiegel Grove, now serving as artificial reef on the
bottom in 130 feet of water off Key Largo, flipped upright as the core
of the storm passed well over 200 miles to the west.

It's a position project organizers wanted since the retired 510-foot
Landing Ship Dock prematurely sank and rolled over May 17, 2002, leaving
its upside-down bow protruding from the water.

Three weeks later, a salvage team managed to fully sink the vessel, but
on its right side instead of its keel. Three years later, the Spiegel
Grove is the most popular artificial wreck in the Florida Keys, home at
least 166 different fish species, said Lad Akins of the Reef
Environmental Education Foundation.

"I'm flabbergasted," Rob Bleser, volunteer project director, said Monday
afternoon after a dive on the newly oriented Spiegel Grove. "Nature took
its course and put it where it belongs."

"This will mean a whole new dive for those that have dove it before,"
Bleser said. Its highest point is now 60 feet down.

Words of delight about the Spiegel Grove moved quickly through the
Florida Keys' sport dive industry, but at least one federal official was
not happy.

"It's bad news from my perspective as a resource manager that it
moved," said Billy Causey, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Superintendent. "We have to figure out why."

Matt Strahan, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service
Office in Key West, said waves at the wreck were as high as 20 feet
Friday afternoon, when Dennis was southeast of Cuba.

"Waves that high in close proximity to the reef can produce unusually
strong currents with tremendous force," Strahan said.

The Spiegel Grove reef is about six miles off Key Largo. Bleser says
there have been about 75,000 sport dives on the wreck since it opened.

The ship, designed to carry cargo and craft for amphibious landings, was
retired by the Navy in 1989.

Causey said sanctuary officials will temporarily close the wrecksite to
sport divers to analyze its stability and replace lost mooring buoys.

when I heard this yesterday, even though the source was credible, I
still felt it something I would more likeley read in an April 1 spoof!




Al Wells wrote:
> http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
> AID=/20050711/APN/507111171
>
> Dennis fixes problem with largest ship sunk as artificial reef
>
> The Associated Press
>
>
> July 11. 2005 11:03PM
>
> In the wake of Hurricane Dennis, a miscue with the largest intentionally
> sunk ship in the world was found Monday to have been put right.
>
> The former USS Spiegel Grove, now serving as artificial reef on the
> bottom in 130 feet of water off Key Largo, flipped upright as the core
> of the storm passed well over 200 miles to the west.
>
> It's a position project organizers wanted since the retired 510-foot
> Landing Ship Dock prematurely sank and rolled over May 17, 2002, leaving
> its upside-down bow protruding from the water.
>
> Three weeks later, a salvage team managed to fully sink the vessel, but
> on its right side instead of its keel. Three years later, the Spiegel
> Grove is the most popular artificial wreck in the Florida Keys, home at
> least 166 different fish species, said Lad Akins of the Reef
> Environmental Education Foundation.
>
> "I'm flabbergasted," Rob Bleser, volunteer project director, said Monday
> afternoon after a dive on the newly oriented Spiegel Grove. "Nature took
> its course and put it where it belongs."
>
> "This will mean a whole new dive for those that have dove it before,"
> Bleser said. Its highest point is now 60 feet down.
>
> Words of delight about the Spiegel Grove moved quickly through the
> Florida Keys' sport dive industry, but at least one federal official was
> not happy.
>
> "It's bad news from my perspective as a resource manager that it
> moved," said Billy Causey, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
> Superintendent. "We have to figure out why."
>
> Matt Strahan, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service
> Office in Key West, said waves at the wreck were as high as 20 feet
> Friday afternoon, when Dennis was southeast of Cuba.
>
> "Waves that high in close proximity to the reef can produce unusually
> strong currents with tremendous force," Strahan said.
>
> The Spiegel Grove reef is about six miles off Key Largo. Bleser says
> there have been about 75,000 sport dives on the wreck since it opened.
>
> The ship, designed to carry cargo and craft for amphibious landings, was
> retired by the Navy in 1989.
>
> Causey said sanctuary officials will temporarily close the wrecksite to
> sport divers to analyze its stability and replace lost mooring buoys.

Al Wells <al.wells@gmail.com> wrote:

> http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
> AID=/20050711/APN/507111171
>
> Dennis fixes problem with largest ship sunk as artificial reef


> "It's bad news from my perspective as a resource manager that it
> moved," said Billy Causey, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
> Superintendent. "We have to figure out why."

Apparently, Billy doesn't realize that waves carry energy, which then
has to be dissipated, converting into power and work performed en route.


Using this web resource...

http://www.coastal.udel.edu/faculty/rad/wavetheory.html

....and plugging in 7m (for 20ft wave height), 33m depth (swag) and a
wave period of 5 seconds, it predicts the wave energy at roughly 60,000
N-m/m^2 (unit conversion: 60 kilo-Joules/m^2)


The above model predicts that the wave would be ~39m long, and assuming
a 20m width to be very roughly the fraction that would act upon the
hull, this would be ~800 m^2 of wave.

60 kJ/m^2 * 800 m^2/wave * 1 wave/5 sec = 9,600 kJ/sec = 9.6 MW.


Ten megawatts of power isn't a terribly huge amount, except when its
concentrated onto one object (the Spiegel Grove), where it will tend to
get its attention.



-hh

"H Huntzinger" wrote

>> "It's bad news from my perspective as a resource manager that it
>> moved," said Billy Causey, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
>> Superintendent. "We have to figure out why."
>
> Apparently, Billy doesn't realize that waves carry energy, which then
> has to be dissipated, converting into power and work performed en route.

I considered commenting on that. It doesn't take a rocket scientist (or
engineer) to figure out that it moved because the waves moved it.

I also find it interesting that, from the perspective of a resource manager,
he dinds it a problem. I guarantee that the Spiegel Grove, upright, will be
a better dive than it ever was on its side.

Curtis, Popeye, Dave, Mike, Bullshark, whoever else, up for a trip to Key
Largo? We need to schedule it after the effect of Dennis on visibility has
diminished but before Emily knocks the damned boat back over on its side.

Lee

Lee Bell wrote:
>
> Curtis, Popeye, Dave, Mike, Bullshark, whoever else, up for a trip to Key
> Largo? We need to schedule it after the effect of Dennis on visibility has
> diminished but before Emily knocks the damned boat back over on its side.
>

I was supposed to be in Key Largo right now, but had to cancel my
trip. I can't wait to dive the Grove again, but I also wonder how long
it will stay upright. I would think it would be harder to tip over again
now, as it no longer offers the same profile to the oncoming wave
energy, but my first thought was that with the hurricane season that's
been predicted, the Grove could end up being a shore dive by September!

And remember that this incident happened when the actual hurricane was
many miles away over Cuba.

Nevertheless, please reserve my spot!

gc

> Apparently, Billy doesn't realize that waves carry energy, which then
> has to be dissipated, converting into power and work performed en route.
>

ROTFLOL, you obviously don't know Billy!

I don't go to as many Sanctuary Advisory Council meetings as I once did
but I was present on Dec 14th 2004 when the author of the article below
made a presentation to the council:

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/storm/c...eefs_1016.html

Just talked to some divers returning from the A. Bush (Busch?) seems
it took a hit too..

Steel Ibeam (marker 24) at Looe Key is not standing.

Current thinking (pun!) (radio news) is that sand scoured from
underneath it made a pit and the grove rocked into to it.





H Huntzinger wrote:
> Al Wells <al.wells@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
> > AID=/20050711/APN/507111171
> >
> > Dennis fixes problem with largest ship sunk as artificial reef
>
>
> > "It's bad news from my perspective as a resource manager that it
> > moved," said Billy Causey, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
> > Superintendent. "We have to figure out why."
>
> Apparently, Billy doesn't realize that waves carry energy, which then
> has to be dissipated, converting into power and work performed en route.
>
>
>

Okay, I apologize to the Original poster because I thought he was
paying a April Fool joke out. Sorry!!

Here is the link to Miami Hearld noting more information.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...s/12111453.htm

This great news for the diving community. I just wonder if there is a
way to secure it in position. Next storm that comes by could just
undo it as well.

David

I leave Thursday with a group of 4 other divers "Come On Down" lets beat
Emily's arrival.

Regards from Atlanta
Bill

"Lee Bell" <leebell@ix.remove.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:31RAe.21725$eM6.20418@newsread3.news.atl.eart hlink.net...
> "H Huntzinger" wrote
>
>>> "It's bad news from my perspective as a resource manager that it
>>> moved," said Billy Causey, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
>>> Superintendent. "We have to figure out why."
>>
>> Apparently, Billy doesn't realize that waves carry energy, which then
>> has to be dissipated, converting into power and work performed en route.
>
> I considered commenting on that. It doesn't take a rocket scientist (or
> engineer) to figure out that it moved because the waves moved it.
>
> I also find it interesting that, from the perspective of a resource
> manager, he dinds it a problem. I guarantee that the Spiegel Grove,
> upright, will be a better dive than it ever was on its side.
>
> Curtis, Popeye, Dave, Mike, Bullshark, whoever else, up for a trip to Key
> Largo? We need to schedule it after the effect of Dennis on visibility
> has diminished but before Emily knocks the damned boat back over on its
> side.
>
> Lee
>

> Any word of
> visibility? The strong winds of the last few days have got to have had some
> negative effect.

Report heard on FM104.1 vis at Looe yesterday was excellent. Marker 24
(the lighted 20' tall steel I-beam marking Looes east end) joined the
marker Georges bent over in 1998.

Big Pine Shoal Marker (36'?) destroyed.

from todays Key West Citizen: (link below)


----------------------------------------------------------------

Request: Please don't dive Spiegel right now


BY STEVE GIBBS

Citizen Staff


KEY LARGO - The mooring buoys from the Spiegel Grove artificial reef
were removed Tuesday and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
officials called for a voluntary closure of the wreck, while Upper Keys
dive operators celebrated the uprighting of the massive sunken ship by
Hurricane Dennis.

Also Tuesday, sanctuary divers discovered that another intentionally
sunk ship - the Adolphus Busch off Ramrod Key - also had moved
around in the storm.

A voluntary closure is faster and more flexible than going through
federal regulations to officially close the site to diving, said Cheva
Heck, spokeswoman for the sanctuary.

"Once we see it's safe and try to get a new assessment done, we'll
re-install the mooring buoys," she said.

Heck said sanctuary divers Tuesday checked out the Adolphus Busch, a
210-foot ship sunk in 1998 three miles from Looe Key, and found the
ship had listed to starboard by 5 to 10 degrees, exposing the entire
keel and the propeller.

The ship's starboard bow anchor broke and the starboard stern anchor is
"very, very taut," indicating strong seas from the southeast, Heck
said.

Divers couldn't find the port bow anchor and the ship has settled an
additional 8 to 10 feet into the seafloor, making it a deeper dive,
Heck said.

Meanwhile, sanctuary divers and the dive shop owner who directed the
sinking of the 510-foot Spiegel Grove descended upon the site to check
out its new orientation.

The May 2002 sinking of the Spiegel Grove gained worldwide attention
after the ship sank prematurely while being readied for scuttling and
settled on her side. The Key Largo Chamber of Commerce and Monroe
County spent $250,000 to hire a salvage company from Stuart to right
the ship. But salvers could only turn her 90 degrees, and there she
stayed for the past three years - until Hurricane Dennis.

"I'm flabbergasted," said Rob Bleser, the volunteer project director,
after he surfaced from a dive on the newly oriented Spiegel Grove.
"Nature took its course and put it where it belongs."

According to Matt Strahan, meteorologist in charge at the National
Weather Service Office in Key West, the waves above the Spiegel Grove
wreck site could have been has high as 20 feet Friday afternoon.

"When Dennis was southeast of Cuba, it would have produced very high
waves that computer models project could have reached Key Largo," said
Strahan, according to a press release from the Tourist Development
Council. "Waves that high in close proximity to the reef can produce
unusually strong currents with tremendous force."

The Spiegel Grove is in 130 feet of water, about six miles off Key
Largo. The ship, designed to carry cargo and craft for amphibious
landings, was retired by the Navy in 1989.

Bleser said the ship is still facing in an easterly direction and has
not changed location.

"This will mean a whole new dive for those that have dove it before,"
Bleser said. "Its orientation is now less confusing for new divers, and
it's a bit deeper dive now."

He estimated that the ship now sits 10 feet deeper since it rolled over
into a large trough created as currents eroded the soft sand from under
the ship's hull over the past three years.

"She's more stable than ever," he said. "And she's sitting as level as
a pool table."

Capt. Todd Firm, who like Bleser is a dive shop owner, said the real
upside of the phenomenon is the worldwide publicity the dive industry
and the entire Keys receive from it.

"This is great for the dive business," said Firm, who's also a TDC
board member. "With the national press picking this up - CNN is
running it - it's a win-win for us and it doesn't cost any
advertising dollars."

Bleser said there have been about 75,000 sport dives on the wreck since
it opened to divers.

Residents have purchased more than 500 bronze medallions at $250 apiece
to help support the sinking of the ship. A plaque was attached to the
ship while it was on its side that lists the names of those who helped
support the project. When asked about the plaque, Bleser said it is
attached to the port side of the ship just below the second deck
railing.

"It's on the lee side [of the current]," he said. "It looks real good."


Citizen News Editor Nancy Klingener contributed to this story.

http://www.keysnews.com/283754725069552.bsp.htm

"captkeywest" wrote

> Report heard on FM104.1 vis at Looe yesterday was excellent. Marker 24
> (the lighted 20' tall steel I-beam marking Looes east end) joined the
> marker Georges bent over in 1998.

Thanks.

That's good news.

I'm scheduled for a three diy dive trip to the Dry Tortugas area on August 8
and I was planning a week long vacation in Islamorada on the 12th.
Unfortunately, the motel we booked with lost all their docks as Dennis
passed by. I've rescheduled the same week at Crystal Bay Resort in
Marathon. We'll be trailering our 15 footer down. At the end of the week,
we'll be joined by a bunch of boat club members and their "dinghys." In
this context, dinghy means whatever they want it to mean, from 8 foot
inflatables with motors barely able to plane them out, to , well, to me and
my 85 hp 15 foot V hull. If I were only coming down for the weekend, I'd
bring my inflatable dinghy too. Mine, however, is 10 feet and powered by a
25 Mercury. It's downright scary.

> Big Pine Shoal Marker (36'?) destroyed.

Not good. Sea Tow, on the other hand, will be pleased.

> KEY LARGO - The mooring buoys from the Spiegel Grove artificial reef
> were removed Tuesday and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
> officials called for a voluntary closure of the wreck, while Upper Keys
> dive operators celebrated the uprighting of the massive sunken ship by
> Hurricane Dennis.

I sincerely hope they ignore the request. The operators in that area could
use a break and this is probaby just the kind of break they need. I'm sure
I'm not the only one that saw the Grove on its side that would love to see
it as it was supposed to be, upright.

> "Once we see it's safe and try to get a new assessment done, we'll
> re-install the mooring buoys," she said.

What, do they think the ship's going to fall on somebody? This is more than
a little silly. I guess if I want to see it soon, I'll have to take my own
boat down. That's a hassel and an expense I would just as soon avoid for a
day trip.

> Divers couldn't find the port bow anchor and the ship has settled an
> additional 8 to 10 feet into the seafloor, making it a deeper dive,
> Heck said.

Ummm, there's something wrong with this statement, or the guy that said it.
I guess he means that the shallowest depth that will allow you to reach the
wreck is deeper. That's a pretty deceptive concept and, considering that
the top of the wreck is not all that deep, not a big deal. The movement of
the ship, on the other hand, is a bit of a concern.

> "When Dennis was southeast of Cuba, it would have produced very high
> waves that computer models project could have reached Key Largo," said
> Strahan, according to a press release from the Tourist Development
> Council. "Waves that high in close proximity to the reef can produce
> unusually strong currents with tremendous force."

When Andrew hit South Miami, the Noula Express, a ship sunk at about 120
feet, well north of where hurricane force winds were, was broken in half,
the stern section was lifted and put down on a smuggler's sub placed nearby
and then picked up and put down near it's original location again. It sould
be no surprise to anybody that hurricanes do a lot more underwater than
expected.

> "This will mean a whole new dive for those that have dove it before,"
> Bleser said. "Its orientation is now less confusing for new divers, and
> it's a bit deeper dive now."

Deeper? I guess that means that the ship is wider than it is tall.

> "She's more stable than ever," he said. "And she's sitting as level as
> a pool table."

So what's the danger preventing operators from visiting the site?

Lee