Triangle Wrecks: Difference between revisions

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{{Divesite infobox|region=US Atlantic coast|site_access_type=Shore|depth_range=5-20ft|coordinates=36.032611, -75.663972|type=Ocean}}
!colspan="2" | Site Info
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The '''Triangle Wrecks''' is a wreck dive near Nag's Head, NC in the United States.
The '''Triangle Wrecks''' is a wreck dive near Nag's Head, NC in the Outer Banks. It is the site of two shipwrecks which form a rough triangle shape.


Two ships had the misfortune of running ashore in the same location but two years apart. December of 1927 marked the sinking of the first ship, The Kyzickes. The Kyzickes was a tanker bound for Spain with a cargo full of crude oil when it was caught in a storm. The strong winds caused the ship to take on water, ultimately destroying the boiler tubes. In 1929, the vessel Carl Gerhard also managed to run aground at the exact same location, slicing through the remains of The Kyzickes. Below the water line, you can see wreckage including a boiler. The wreckage takes the shape of a “triangle” and lies in about 15-20 feet of water. The scattered chunks of both wrecks can be found starting at 100 yards and ranging to 250 yards offshore.
In a twist of fate, two vessels met their end in the identical spot, though two years separated their respective accidents. The ''Kyzikes'', a tanker carrying crude oil en route to Spain, foundered in December 1927, due to a violent storm. The tempest led to water breaching the ship, consequently compromising its boiler tubes. Fast forward to 1929, the ''Carl Gerhard'' unfortunately met the same fate in that precise location, cutting through what remained of the ''Kyzikes''. It was carrying a cargo of plasterboard.
 
Underwater, divers can spot debris, including a boiler, which collectively forms a triangular configuration, situated 15-20 feet deep. The dispersed remnants of these ill-fated ships stretch from 100 to 250 yards from the shoreline.<ref>
https://www.outerbanks.org/blog/post/5-shipwrecks-you-can-visit-along-the-outer-bankss-shoreline/
</ref><ref>https://www.divehatteras.com/beach%20wrecks.html</ref>


==Details==
==Details==
[[File:Triwrecks profile view.jpg|alt=High altitude profile view of the wrecks with town of Nag's Head and the Wright Memorial in the background|thumb|300x300px|High altitude profile view of the wrecks with town of Nag's Head and the Wright Memorial in the background]]
There are two wrecks at this site, the [https://monitor.noaa.gov/shipwrecks/kyzikes.html Kyzikes] and the [https://monitor.noaa.gov/shipwrecks/carl_gerhard.html Carl Gerhard]. The ''Kyzikes'' ran aground first and the ''Carl Gerhard'' cut it in half two years later. The ''Carl Gerhard'' is the northernmost wreck.


===Position ===<!--===Name===
Guides can be booked via [https://roanokeislanddiveshop.com/ Roanoke Island Dive Shop]. They typically do not guide if the waves exceed ~2 ft.
[[Image:Image of whatever the site is named after.jpg|thumb|Caption]]--><!--nice if you can get it-->
<!--The name "Site name" is derived from (derivation of site name)-->


===Depth===
===Depth===
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===Conditions===
===Conditions===
Conditions are highly variable. Roanoke Island Dive Shop will not guide if the waves exceed 2 ft. Expect currents and low visibility.
Conditions are highly variable. Expect currents and low visibility.
<!--The site is (usually) at it's best in (season1) but there are also occasional opportunities in (season2) and (season3).-->
===Facilities===
<!--This is an area which sometimes has (special circumstance), caused by (condition1), resulting in (condition2)-->
 
<!--===Facilities===-->
<!--Amenities AT the site, available for the convenience of the diver, such as off road parking, secure parking, ablution facilities, changing rooms, fresh water on tap, restaurant or fast food stall within immediate walking distance from the entry/parking area -->
 


There are freshwater showers at the beach access which can be used to rinse self and gear. There are no changing rooms, public restrooms, or water fountains nearby. A lifeguard may be on duty.


==Access==
==Access==
[[File:Triwrecks-overview.png|thumb|Annotated high aspect view of the site and the position of landmarks]]
Via 2nd street public beach access, marked in red. There is limited street parking available, expect it to fill up quickly. If it's full there is also a beach access on 1st street but it's a longer walk to the entry area.
Via 2nd street public beach access, marked in red. There is limited street parking available, expect it to fill up quickly. If it's full there is also a beach access on 1st street but it's a longer walk to the entry area.


Adjust where you get in so that prevailing currents will carry you to the wreck.
Adjust where you get in so that prevailing currents will carry you to the wreck.


[[File:Triwrecks-overview.png|600px]]
==Do==
==Do==
<!--if there are two or more drop spots-->
Find a suitable shore reference point. One of the buildings is a good choice. Swim out ~100m and use a snorkel from there to find the wreck. If the currents are up it may be easier to get in upstream, swim out and allow the current to carry you into the wreck.
<!--Dive at one of the drop points listed and explore the area, or follow one of the routes-->
<!--'''Area name'''-->
<!--Area summary if applicable-->
<!--{{marker|type=do|name=Drop point name|lat=-dd.dddd|long=dd.dddd}}: Sdd°mm.mmm' Edd°mm.mmm'. Description should include depth range for the vicinity, local topography and features, and routes assocoated with the specific drop point -->
 
===Routes===
<!--* List of routes not associated with a specific drop point, perhaps passing though two or more. -->


==See==
==See==
<!--[[Image:(photo of typical marine organism from site)|thumb|(caption)]]-->
[[File:Triwreckplanview.jpg|thumb|Top down view of the two wrecks on a calm, high visibility day.]]
 
===Life===
===Features===
 
 
<!--Use the gallery ONLY if there is more than one image required for this section-->
<!--
<gallery mode=packed>
 
</gallery>
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===Marine life===
There can be a lot of jellyfish on the surface, be wary of these when swimming out.
There can be a lot of jellyfish on the surface, be wary of these when swimming out.


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Angelfish may sometimes be found schooling near the wreck as well as miscellaneous small reef fish.
Angelfish may sometimes be found schooling near the wreck as well as miscellaneous small reef fish.
===Photography===
<!--What kind of photography is likely to produce good results-->
<!--Recommendations for photographic equipment: Lens angle, lighting etc.-->


==Safety==
==Safety==
<!--{{See also|Dive region article#Stay safe}}-->
===Hazards===
===Hazards===


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* Silt clouds
* Silt clouds
* Monofilament
* Monofilament
Be especially wary when spearfishers and anglers are on the wreck, as they may mistake you for a fish.


===Equipment===
===Equipment===
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[https://qtube.qlyoung.net/w/uwynb9g1YuCT2XADzCumxr 2023 drone flyover]
[https://qtube.qlyoung.net/w/uwynb9g1YuCT2XADzCumxr 2023 drone flyover]


[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f13ylcFaHJk 2019 FPV drone flyover]
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f13ylcFaHJk 2019 airplane flyover]


==Nearby==
==Nearby==
{{Mapframe|1|2|show=do,see,vicinity,listing<!-- MPA border groupnames -->|zoom=10|height=|width=|layer=|staticmap=|align=|name=}}<!--MPA borders-->
<!--article and map links (if any) to dive sites that are likely to show up on the same interactive map at the zoom (about 10) normally used for the region -->
<!--*{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[]]|lat=|long=|zoom=15}}-->


<!--Back to [[Main article#section]] (optional return link to specific section of main article. For use when there are large numbers of sites referenced in the main article)-->
==References==
 
[[Category:Dive sites]]


{{IsPartOf|Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay}}
{{IsPartOf|Outer Banks}}
{{outlinediveguide}}
{{geo|lat=|long=|zoom=15|layer=ODG}}

Latest revision as of 05:28, 22 May 2024

Site Info
Type Ocean
Coordinates 36.032611, -75.663972
Region US Atlantic coast
Access via Shore
Depth range 5-20ft
Loading map...


The Triangle Wrecks is a wreck dive near Nag's Head, NC in the Outer Banks. It is the site of two shipwrecks which form a rough triangle shape.

In a twist of fate, two vessels met their end in the identical spot, though two years separated their respective accidents. The Kyzikes, a tanker carrying crude oil en route to Spain, foundered in December 1927, due to a violent storm. The tempest led to water breaching the ship, consequently compromising its boiler tubes. Fast forward to 1929, the Carl Gerhard unfortunately met the same fate in that precise location, cutting through what remained of the Kyzikes. It was carrying a cargo of plasterboard.

Underwater, divers can spot debris, including a boiler, which collectively forms a triangular configuration, situated 15-20 feet deep. The dispersed remnants of these ill-fated ships stretch from 100 to 250 yards from the shoreline.[1][2]

Details[edit | edit source]

High altitude profile view of the wrecks with town of Nag's Head and the Wright Memorial in the background
High altitude profile view of the wrecks with town of Nag's Head and the Wright Memorial in the background

There are two wrecks at this site, the Kyzikes and the Carl Gerhard. The Kyzikes ran aground first and the Carl Gerhard cut it in half two years later. The Carl Gerhard is the northernmost wreck.

Guides can be booked via Roanoke Island Dive Shop. They typically do not guide if the waves exceed ~2 ft.

Depth[edit | edit source]

20ft to the sand.

Visibility[edit | edit source]

As low as 1ft, as high as 20ft. Increased currents typically correspond to lower visibility as they lift up silt from the bottom creating enormous silt clouds in the vicinity of the wreck.

Topography[edit | edit source]

Fine sandy bottom.

Conditions[edit | edit source]

Conditions are highly variable. Expect currents and low visibility.

Facilities[edit | edit source]

There are freshwater showers at the beach access which can be used to rinse self and gear. There are no changing rooms, public restrooms, or water fountains nearby. A lifeguard may be on duty.

Access[edit | edit source]

Annotated high aspect view of the site and the position of landmarks

Via 2nd street public beach access, marked in red. There is limited street parking available, expect it to fill up quickly. If it's full there is also a beach access on 1st street but it's a longer walk to the entry area.

Adjust where you get in so that prevailing currents will carry you to the wreck.

Do[edit | edit source]

Find a suitable shore reference point. One of the buildings is a good choice. Swim out ~100m and use a snorkel from there to find the wreck. If the currents are up it may be easier to get in upstream, swim out and allow the current to carry you into the wreck.

See[edit | edit source]

Top down view of the two wrecks on a calm, high visibility day.

Life[edit | edit source]

There can be a lot of jellyfish on the surface, be wary of these when swimming out.

Dolphins, skates and rays are not uncommon here.

Angelfish may sometimes be found schooling near the wreck as well as miscellaneous small reef fish.

Safety[edit | edit source]

Hazards[edit | edit source]

  • Strong currents
  • Stinging jellyfish
  • Low visibility
  • Silt clouds
  • Monofilament

Be especially wary when spearfishers and anglers are on the wreck, as they may mistake you for a fish.

Equipment[edit | edit source]

  • Full wetsuit recommended due to jellyfish
  • Cutting device (or two); monofilament is on the wreck
  • Flashlight recommended
  • Snorkel - useful for spotting the wreck

Media[edit | edit source]

2023 drone flyover

2019 airplane flyover

Nearby[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


  1. ↑ https://www.outerbanks.org/blog/post/5-shipwrecks-you-can-visit-along-the-outer-bankss-shoreline/
  2. ↑ https://www.divehatteras.com/beach%20wrecks.html
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