21 September 2010

New Wrecks of The Black Sea

We started at 8.30am from Varna harbour. We was boarding a fishing vessel to search for a new found wreck 15 miles off shore.



There was around twenty divers aboard the boat some with twin-sets some with just one cylinder.
The dive was to find a wreck newly discovered by 4 guys from Bulgaria the day before.
It is suspected to be a WW1 German submarine of 1st or 2nd class. These subs were shore based rapid attack submarines.
The wreck lies in 35m depth. We were to dive in teams of 4 divers for 20 minutes each team.
The visibility wasn't excellent maybe 3-4 mtrs. But this dive was interesting as every wreck diver loves finding new and undiscovered wrecks to dive.
There will be many of these such wrecks in the Black Sea, I was just lucky to be invited to dive this one.
The trip was funded by the Bulgarian Government and made so we could bring information on the wreck to be used.
The day prior to us diving the 4 divers, Orlin a journalist and technical diver, Mitko also technical diver and two other Bulgarians found this wreck and lifted a 37mm deck mounted gun to the surface.
This gun had a brass plaque on its surface that read "Bethlehem 1903".
I have researched this stamp and found it to be made in USA at Bethlehem Steel Co.
The gun will be displayed in Varna museum for all to see.
Orlin is collecting information on new wrecks for I believe a portfolio of Black Sea Wrecks, this will make for an interesting read when completed. I hope I get the chance to help with some more Black Sea finds. Thanks guys.



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