Articles Trip Reports |
Articles Articles Trip Reports |
| Chester Poling 6/14/08 |
|
|
|
| Written by Chris S, Fran F and Mer | |
|
On Saturday, June 14, 2008, Chris S, Fran F and Mer made a trip to the stern of the Chester Poling off Gloucester Harbor on the Cape Ann Diver II and found good vis and neat widelife. Great video and photos too. Video: Credit: Chris S Background on the Chester Poling: Chester Poling was a coast tanker 281' long by 40' wide. The Chester Poling broke in two during a furocious storm in 1977 off Cape Ann. She broke along a weld line where additional length has been added to her more than two decades earlier, this break is still eriely clean 30 years later. The bow quickly turtled and sank in 190' of water while the stern remained afloat long enough to drift 6 miles from the bow to right off the Gloucester Harbor Breakwater. 6 of 7 crew were rescued. The Blizzard of '78 moved the wreck slightly offshore and deeper to its current location is in roughly 100' of water. For more information and pictures: Photos: Credit: Chris S and Fran F The three of us. They guy without the hat is kind of hot... Link to YouTube Video DIVE REPORTS From Chris S: We were at it again today. Meredith, Fran, and I went out with Cape Ann on the early boat to the Poling. Fran and I met Meredith at the shop, and headed to the boat, which is in a new location, about a half mile from the shop, very convient now, don't have to deal with the bridge anymore. We had perfect weather again, as Chris Ware was no where to be found. Perfectly flat seas, and only six of us on the boat made for an awesome morning. We splashed, I led down the line, and we hit the wreck at 2:25 and were greeted by about 20 to 30 ft of vis, and zero current. We settled in and headed around the starboard side around towards the break. While at the break, I stuck my head under the wreck, and sure enough, there was a new resident Wolf Eel living there, probably a good three plus feet long, ugly bastard, at first I thought Fran had somehow snuck under there, but I eventually realized, he was still next to me. Besides Fran's kind of uglier. We then headed up the port side from there, and ran into a family of nudibranch, there was probably six or seven hanging out on top of the wreck, about midship, neat little find. We investigated the stern for a while, annoying the large ammount of flounder that was hanging out there, then threw the thumbs at the 50 minute mark. Ten minites to the surface for a nice relaxed deco. No, George, nobody was riding anybody this time, although Fran did hump my leg. We hit the boat, and rode back, loaded up and headed to the Causeway for lunch. Meredith had Chowda, Fran had a fish sandwich the size of his head. Thanks to Mer for the lunch choice. Then it was off for the ride home, where Fran tried to run us out of fuel. We made it to the pump with less than a mile to go. We put 28.5 gallons in a 29 gallon tank.... Its always an adventure with Fran. Then back to the house for beers an gear rinsing. It was an awesome day. I had a blast. i am surprised how much the upper deck of the wreck is buckling, I really hadnt looked at it too much in the past couple of dives I am not sure how much longer she is going to be a true Holly Wood wreck, as it looks like the top is going to give way any month now, but who knows. From Fran F: Chris picked a keeper day for my first North Atlantic wreck dive. Great weather, great seas , great viz. Saw some monster lobster that Chris tried to feed me too. Of course I d rather be eaten by a lobster than that pretty wolf eel  I ve been told the viz isnt always as nice so I feel fortunate to have made it out. Looking forward to my next adventure with you guys. Had a ball  From Mer: I'd actually put the vis around in the 30-40', easily could see across the beam. Bottom temp was 45degF, with it getting a few degrees warmer (and significantly less vis) around the 40' mark. Tide was high and heading out. The end of the good early season vis is probably not too far away. Fran... don't get used to this vis, it'll turn you into (even more of) a sissy! And I would actually give Fran some credit, the Wolf Eel was uglier than Fran... if only slightly so! Despite living just down the road, I haven't been on the Poling for almost 2 years. It's amazing what a bit of training will do... nice relaxed dive, moving slowly and was able to notice a lot more detail, especially with the macro critters. The nudibranchs and other little stuff was really neat, and there is a ton if it to see if you stop to look. The depth of color is amazing. Amazingly clear inside the wreck, although we opted not head inside this time around. Hardly any current, no surge, and it was the "Atlantic Pond" today. Beautiful dive. Gotta love the Causeway Restaurant... just beware of the big portions. |
|
| Last Updated ( Saturday, 19 July 2008 ) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|