Triangle Wrecks: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:22, 18 August 2023

Site Info
Type	{{{type}}}
Coordinates	"N75°39'50.3"W 36°01'57.4"N 75°39'50.3"W
Region	US Atlantic coast
Access via	Shore
Depth range	5-20ft

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[[Category:{{{type}}}]]

The Triangle Wrecks is a wreck dive near Nag's Head, NC in the United States.

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. ^[1]

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

Details

Position

36°01'57.4"N 75°39'50.3"W

Depth

20ft to the sand.

Visibility

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

Fine sandy bottom.

Conditions

Conditions are highly variable. Roanoke Island Dive Shop will not guide if the waves exceed 2 ft. Expect currents and low visibility.

Facilities

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

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

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.