DIVING THE WRECK OF THE NEVADA

by Sue Galbraith

At low tide the broken mast of the Nevada can be seen protruding from the mysterious depths of the sea. It is only the diver who can intrude the peace where the wreck now lies torn and scattered over the bottom of the gully. Even now, forty three years after she went down, the grave of the Nevada is alive with creatures of the sea and has fascinating stories to tell of yesterday and today.

I have dived the wreck from different boats and there has always been quite a swell on the surface, but this has certainly been no deterrent to a keen diver! Because, once submerged into the blue crystal clear water, it is calm and peaceful and a very different silent world. As you descend, the brown and green expanse of the lost ship looms up before you in about 15 metres of water. Despite extensive salvaging some years ago, the main hulk of the ship is obvious and finding your way around is easy. There is not much seaweed growth but it is encrusted with barnacles, anemones and tiny sponges and coral. There are numerous nooks and crannies to poke around in - both on deck and in exposed blown holds. There are many huge wheeled axles lying about, the tyres in perfect condition. Also, batteries, large cylinders and odd tyres litter the sea bed. Jagged pieces of metal lie everywhere - on investigation, an odd piece would prove to be a name plate from a door of the ship. Scattered here and there are little clusters of bullets and ammunition in the silt. Brass door hinges and locks and screws and even an old fashioned telephone hand set was found on one occasion.

There is many a piece of torn fishing line and weight found caught on the wreck - some unfortunate boy's loss from the nearby shore. And an odd lost lobster creel too - a favourite haunt for lobsters! The wreck is sometimes alive with fish, all colours and sizes. The ballen wrasse though dull seen on land, is a colourful blue underwater. Spindly starfish make a pretty carpet underwater. As you swim along the starboard side of the twisted and devastated wreck you come to the long shaft and bare gaping hole where the propeller was removed on salvage. It is deeper, darker and colder around the stern, and more foreboding.

All too soon your gauge tells you you are running out of air and it is time for a quick last look where you saw that piece of metal or souvenir and time to surface. Another fascinating dive over with that has uncovered a little of the tragic past and yet given so much pleasure for those in the present.