Specialty Article

The water was so smooth I could have skipped a rock from the West Bank back to Freeport as we prepared to dive. I was back for my 10th trip in six years. I first experienced the wonders of the Flower Gardens in 1996. Each return trip has been unique, beautiful, yet challenging with different obstacles and experiences in each dive. The Flower Garden Banks definitely leave a lasting impression.

After reading The Last Dive by Bernie Chowdhury, I knew I wanted to dive deeper.  As a NAUI and SSI open water instructor, I wanted to make the move toward technical diving so I signed up for 2 technical diving courses taught by a local TDI instructor. I was immediately shocked when I learned I would need to replace most of my current equipment.  My instructor wanted me to take a more holistic approach to diving and felt most of my gear was just not appropriate.  I knew that pulling together the needed items would prove a pricey investment so I decided to examine the changes needed to comply with the Hogarthian gear configuration in an analytical way.  I decided to record my thoughts during this transition to help determine the valve of each component.  This information would allow me to make further educated decisions between equipment manufacturers, equipment styles and diving techniques. So, as part of this record, I not only looked at the equipment itself, but also listed the pros and cons of setting it up according to Hogarthian principals.

As our group from Texas headed out on the H2O Below for 2 dives on the USS Oriskany, we were all discussing what condition the aircraft carrier might be in and what marine life might now call this once floating bohemeth home.  We had just been given the boat safety briefing from Captain Douglas Hammock, and were ready to hit the water.  We had to cool our heels however because there was still an hour and a half boat ride before we reached the moorings.  I had arranged this trip for Tom’s Dive and Swim through MBT Divers out of Pensacola, FL. but MBT charters with the H2O Below to get divers out to the site.  It seems a very convenient and equable relationship.

The H2O Below is a 36' Newton dive boat, and is certified for 24 divers.  Even though they limit the number to 16 the boat can feel a little cramped when everyone is gearing up and moving around the deck.  The H20 Below also caters to tech divers but this was our first trip out using MBT Divers and the H2O Below so we were sticking to recreational limits.  Just so you know though, they limit the number of divers to 11 if tech diving and limit the number of dives to 1 with a total run time of 1 hour 45 minutes.
This thesis is an historical and archaeological examination of the Caney Creek steamboat wreck, archaeological site 41MG32. Although it has not been identified, its location has been known since the early 20th century. Unfortunately, due to three hurricanes that battered the Texas coast in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, little documentation exists concerning Caney Creek or its associated trade. Archaeological investigations, however, have revealed several aspects this steamer had in common with other western river steamboats. This thesis will help illustrate western river steamboat operations in Texas and provide a better understanding of Caney Creek during the 19th century.

Between June 4, 1995 and July 31, 1995 the Texas Historical Commission (THC) undertook a major marine magnetometer survey in Matagorda Bay, along the central Texas coast. The purpose of the project was to record any possible shipwrecks or other archaeological maritime sites. This survey identified 39 anomalies that were considered significant enough for further investigation by divers.
 
After locating the most promising site, divers were put in the water to investigate the cause of the anomaly. Divers began recovering cast lead shot and wooden remains, suggesting a historic shipwreck. The site began to look particularly significant when divers discovered a brass buckle.