Scuba Diver #63

Page 54

beyond technical

Curse of the

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aving reached the stern section of the wreckage, I knew it was here that champagne bottles could possibly be found, apparently still with their wire and lead sealed numbers stamped and again, clearly visible. During the early exploration dives, when this wreck was first discovered, quantities of fine examples of perfectly preserved pottery were recovered which, from time to time, still come to light as the sea uncovers them each season. This summer was no different, and friends alike were discovering, inspecting and photographing numerous artefacts that were now visible from the shifting sands of the winter past. As I watched other divers approaching the stern, I could see from their lights that the wreck had begun to peter out slightly as well as becoming more significantly damaged and lying flat to the contours of the seabed. With the wreck broken, it was obvious that it was here that salvage operations over the years had concentrated their efforts in the search for wealth that was said to be stowed in the stern. Wealth belonging to emigrants aboard who were destined for a new life on the other side of the world. Being the busiest waterway in the world, it was inevitable that occasionally there were collisions in the English Channel, and that marine disaster ensued. This wreck, the Avalanche, lost in 1877 with great loss of life and bound Wreck diving really allows you to for New Zealand, is one example still submerge yourself quite literally into explored by deep divers today. Like the history of the wreck. Each wreck many sailing vessels sunk in the area, has a story to tell and sometimes and combined with her story of tragedy, it can be a very tragic one. Most the Avalanche makes for an excellent divers feel an incredible sense dive, not only to the wreck itself, but of awe and respect when also back into history.

they dive wrecks.

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