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  USS Wilkes Barre - Bow Check out the Stern Section

The bow of the USS Wilkes-Barre is usually what you end up diving when you miss the stern. The bow section is only a few hundred feet away from the stern section and down current from the prevailing direction of the current. That was the case on this dive conducted on April 29th 2000 and a few other dives that I wish not to mention. The bow section is interesting in its own right, it lays hard over on its starboard side. The two front 6-inch gun turrets have toppled from their mounts and lay off in the sand. The rest of the wreck is pretty well intact and makes for an interesting dive.

All Images ©Andrew Donn 1998-2003. All Rights Reserved. All Images captured from Video. 

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Wilkes
Joe

Joe

Joe scooters along the hull of the Wilkes Barre as I get the camera out.

Mikey

Mikey

Mikey checks out one of the 5-inch gun turrets.

Barney

Barney

Barney returns my scooter after taking it for a little joy ride. After I get my scooter back, I scooter off towards the break shooting video as I go.

Superstructure

Superstructure

This is a picture of the superstructure just in front of the bridge.

Wing

Wing

The port bridge wing is sticking up from the wreck.

Illuminate

Illuminate

Mikey's light illuminates the wreck.

Pass

Pass

I pass Joe on his scooter is I zoom towards the break.

End

End Dive 1

Joe waits at the end of the dive to pull the hook.

Deco

Deco

Barney and Jeff decompress in the current.

Dive2

Dive 2

The crew gears up to try the dive again.

5 inch

5-inch

Here is one of the 5-inch twin gun turrets.

Catwalk

Catwalk

This is the catwalk that goes around the bridge.

Jewfish

Jewfish

A small jewfish approximately 4 feet long meets me as I make my way through the wreck. I'm trying to get to the break just behind the bridge where the ship was cut in two. I decide to find another route.

Buddy

Buddy

My buddy and I exchange signals as we dive the bow of the Wilkes Barre.

5 inch gun

5-inch Gun

Here is another shot of the 5-inch gun turret.

Inside Turret

Turret

This is some equipment inside the gun turret.

Door

Door

I drop down to check out an open door in the side of the wreck.

Inside

Inside

Inside the wreck it is pretty close quarters.

Cabinet

Cabinet

This cabinet remains securely bolted to the floor. No the image isn't rotated, remember the wreck lies on its side.

Jeff M

Jeff

Jeff swims past me as we explore inside the wreck.

Side

Side

Jeff checks out the side of the hull as we get ready to head back to the surface up our shot line tied in behind him.

 

  USS Wilkes Barre - Bow Check out the Stern Section

 

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