Diving the Empire Mica--Part one

[Anonymous]

DIVING THE EMPIRE MICA, OFF PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA
The last day of diving we did, on that trip to Panama City Florida, was on the Empire Mica. This
is a tanker that was sunk during World War 2, and is 45 miles off shore.
The Empire Mica was a British oil tanker, built in 1941 by Furness S.B. Company of Haverton Hill
on Tees. She was 479' long, with a 61' beam, displacing 8,032 gross tons. The Mica was en route
from Houston to England for the Anglo-American Oil Company Limited when two torpedoes from the
U-67 ignited the 12,000 tons of oil she was carrying. The ship burned for a day as it drifted in
the Gulf, finally sinking in 105' of water south of Cape San Blas, Florida. Thirty-three crewmen
lost their lives in the attack
I have dove on quite a few wrecks in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan but had never been on a wreck
dive in the ocean before, so I was pretty darned excited.
As usual we were up long before the sun and headed for Burger King for breakfast and a bag full
of breakfast biscuits for our noon break.
We then drove back to the dive shop and hooked up to the boat and trailer. The gas and all of
our air tanks were full and ready for a day of diving.
It was a short drive to the launch site and it was breaking dawn as Dave backed the trailer into
the water.
It was again a beautiful morning. Calm and the weather forecast was for a beautiful day with
light breezes. I really enjoyed the smell of the sea, the sounds of the gulls, which circled the
slow moving boat, hoping for a handout. This was not coming this morning. The sun was lifting
over the horizon and it was already warming up. It looked to be a perfect day as waiting for us.
As we cleared the breakwater and headed for the open sea, Dave looked at the Loran and adjusted
out heading. He then, on glass smooth water, opened up the throttle.
The ride was as smooth as glass and as we soon left the gulls in our wake, which was stretched
out behind the boat for a long ways. I have always enjoyed watching the wake on a fast moving
boat.
It was not long before someone noticed a couple Porpus in our wake. They were about three feet
off the motor but it didn

 

[Anonymous]

I have been offshore in small boats where no land is to be seen.. It is a different feeling for certain.
All the best
M

 

[Anonymous]

Were you ever scared being this far from land? What do you think those large, dark fish were that you said you saw way down in the water, sharks?
This appears to be the making of a good story, can't wait for the next part to be posted. Please have a great day! Kelley (Texas) <img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="">

 

[Anonymous]

[No message]

 

[Anonymous]

I am surprised to know that you can dive at 100 feet w/o a wetsuit!
Is there a thermocline in water that deep in the ocean?
Ready for the next installment. <><
Arkie John

 

[Anonymous]

in inland lakes and they can be pretty severe but I have never experienced any in the oceans. Not the places I have dove but that has always been in pretty warm water. Mike has dove in the cold stuff so could tell you better. I have never needed a wetsuit in the ocean.
Inland lakes is a far different story. Past 20 ft in most of our lakes and the pucker factor really comes into action. Even with a wet suit you can get cold. I have been under for 4 hours, with wetsuit and could not talk when I came out. Hypothermia can get to you..
I have posted this story before, a couple years ago

 

[Anonymous]

(I like being the biggest thing in the pond <img src="/metal/html/biggrin.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=""> but once upon a time, I did my share of diving in our lakes around here.
The thermocline was about 20 to 24 feet most of the summer and it was like going from room temp to placing your leg into an open chest freezer.
Its fascinating the ocean is basically w/o a thermocline.

 

[Anonymous]

and it was necessary to do a bit of compass work and logging.
I figured it would be easier to just leave my gloves off. How cold could it be anyway.
The visibility really sucked, maybe a foot or so but below the thermocline it was crystal clear. The problem was it was the coldest I have ever felt it in the summer. My hands just throbbed.
What I did is go up against the thermocline, it was very easy to see. It looked like a dang ceiling, and work below it and when my hands could not take any more, stick them up in the warm water. It was like sticking them in bath water. That was the most distinct thermocline I have ever seen.
I have also been in lakes where you could actually see it in clear water. There was no current and the water density was enough different between the temperatures that under the right light conditions, it was easy to see.
I have also seen on two occasions that there was two distinct theromclines. The densest water can be is at 4 degrees C, which is about 39 degrees. In a calm lake this densest water will be on the bottom and colder and also warmer water will be above it, in different layers. Conditions have to be right for this to happen but I have seen it. Startling to swim into too.
Mike probably knows more about this than I do but I have sure been in a lot of different situations, mostly in fresh water.
Diving in the ocean is just fantastic!!

 

[Anonymous]

I have been in many themoclines....including a few in the ocean. Yes they can have them. There is a place in Victoria, in the Saanich inlet, where those thermoclines are really noticeable.
However, the best is in Thetis Lake.. Visibilty is great on top.. Dirty as hell under the layer. AND COLD.. The coldest I have ever seen. Hands go numb, testicles retreat up to your lungs and say 'I ain't comin' out until it is warmer" <img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=""> <img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="">. But that is where all the good loot is[ watches, sunglasses etc.], 'cause the kids jump off those 50 foot cliffs and lose it all <img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=""> <img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="">
All the best
M