Find other wrecks accessible from level 1 here.
1. Normandy: the USS Susan B Anthony
The history
Le Susan B Anthony is an American steam cargo ship assigned to the US Navy in 1942. It is tasked with transporting troops and equipment from the United States to England during the operation Overlord. On June 7, 1944, the captain takes advantage of the morning darkness to approach Omaha Beach and bring the 2288 men on board. But the ship hits a mine and sinks, however giving all the men on board time to evacuate. It lies today north of Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, east of Omaha Beach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcf0mlbPEv0&t=18sDivingUpon reaching the sandy bottom, divers discover the ship lying on its port side. The front of the ship is the most interesting part, perfectly preserved and littered with ammunition, trace of the men’s hasty departure. A defensive cannon and two loading masts are also visible at the front of the bridge. As for the fauna, you will most certainly find a lobster hidden in a hollow or a metal tunnel. The back of the ship is very damaged, the remains of the wreck are difficult to identify there.
2. Northern Brittany: the Amoco Cadiz
The historyOn March 16, 1978, off the coast of Ploudalmézeau in Finistère… On her way to Rotterdam with 220,000 tons of Iranian crude oilAmoco Cadiz , the requests tug assistance when a steering gear failure occurs making it impossible to steer the ship. When towing begins, the sea is raging .
After several unsuccessful attempts, the tanker hits rocks, grounds and sends an SOS. The crew will be evacuated and one of the most terrible oil spillsDiving If seaweeds have invaded the top of the wreck, it is not for its flora that divers appreciate it… it is almost nonexistent. This wreck is legendary for its history, which is found in the exploration of the site:
– The steering gear area is accessible, with many instruments still visible.
– The impact point between the ship’s hull and the rock that would cause its loss is perfectly visible. The metal seems to have torn like a simple piece of paper.
– The remains of the tanks visible at the heart of the wreck recall the horror of the oil spill.
Aside from the historical elements of the shipwreck, there is a lot to observe: the rudder, the remains of a chimney laid on the sand, the mooring bollards, the fallen mast… The wreck is monumental, so much so that it is impossible to fully explore it in a single dive.
3. Southern Brittany: the U171
The history
Ce German submarine started its career in 1941. It only had time to conduct a single operation in the Gulf of Mexico to disrupt maritime traffic and torpedo a few American ships. On the way back, on October 9, it passed off allemand débute sa carrière en 1941. Il n’aura le temps de mener qu’une seule opération dans le golfe du Mexique afin de perturber le trafic maritime et torpiller quelques navires américains. Sur le chemin du retour, le 9 octobre, il passe au large de Lorient. The captain does not wait for the minesweeper supposed to escort him and surfaces. He hits a mine and sinks in a matter of minutes. While 30 sailors manage to reach the surface unscathed, 22 others sink with the submarine.
4. Arcachon Basin: the Chariot
The historyWe are not talking about a boat, a submarine, or even an airplane here… The chariot is a very strange machine ! From 1968 to 1971, underwater works were undertaken to create a pipeline and fight against pollution present in the Arcachon basin. The Chariot is none other than the machine for underwater works tasked with digging, burying, and covering pipes. In 1972, the German company responsible for the works went bankrupt and abandoned le the Chariot,to the delight of divers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51p-bi1E4RMDivingIt is an exceptional dive because it is very unusual, the shape of this machine being the most original. It’s not its size that attracts divers so much, but rather the concentration of life. The Chariot is covered in places with daisy anemones, congers , spider crabs and lobsters find refuge in its innards and hundreds of pout swim around the wreck, along with bass. It’s also possible to glimpse sunfish…
5. Occitanie: the Alice-Robert
The history
In a former life banana transporter from French colonies to mainland France, the Alice-Robertest was armed in 1939 at the start of the war, then requisitioned by the Germans and transformed into an escort ship. In June 1944, the ship was cut in two by a British submarine and sinks off the coast of Port-Vendres on the Vermilion Coast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUYGONEWYsY
Diving
Even before reaching the wreck, divers are greeted by the ship’s mast, still standing and rising to 25 meters deep. On the deck, cannons and machine guns still stand, now covered – like much of the ship – by jewel anemones. Experienced divers can enter the wreck when visibility allows. The fauna is very dense: sea breams, congers, anthias, mackerels, and sardines, among others, accompany the divers in their exploration.
6. Marseille: the Chaouen
The historyOn February 21, 1970, the Chaouen connects Casablanca to Marseille, the holds filled with citrus fruits. For reasons still unknown, the ship’s bow strikes a rock near the Planier Island. A tug attempts to free it from its trap but water slowly infiltrates and the rear of the ship sinks after giving the crew time to evacuate. The front of the wreck remained out of water for a long time before disappearing into the sea.
Diving From 4 meters, the first signs of the wreck appear with two beautiful anchors, then the bow appears two meters below. A huge hole in the side of the ship, lying on its side, gives a good view of the immense empty holds. Numerous openings allow divers to explore the innards of the iron monster with the engine room and the holds. On the deck, the chimney and the double mast are in very good condition. At the back, a huge propeller is accessible. The flora is still timid, as the wreck is relatively recent. Schools of sardines and dusky groupers inhabit the various levels of the ship.
7. Marseille: the Liban
The history
The ship made frequent trips between Corsica and Marseille, transporting passengers and mail to or from the continent. On June 7, 1903, the vessel departed from Marseille with 43 crew members and more than 150 passengers. At the island of Maïre, the Liban found itself head-on with the Insulaire, another liner. Following a misunderstanding by the captain during the avoidance maneuver, the two ships collided. The pierced hull, the Liban sinks, taking with it many passengers trapped by the sunshade at the back of the deck.
Diving
The ship was cut in two during its shipwreck, separating the rear, with its propeller in good condition, from the rest of the wreck. The three masts of the ship are lying on the starboard sand. Numerous breaches allow access to the interior of former lounges, cabins, and holds. The wreck is covered with red gorgonians and sponges. Lobsters, congers, and octopuses have taken up residence in the crevices of the wreck, and wolves, dusky groupers, sars, and John Dory can be spotted.
8. Var: the Donator (Prosper Schiaffino)
The historyShip belonging to the Algerian Navigation Company for North Africa, it participated in World War II. It transported equipment and men between Algeria and liberated areas. On October 11, 1945, it departed Marseille, heading to Nice. On November 10, a strong mistral forces it to hug the coast: passing south of Porquerolles it hits a drifting mine and sinks in just a few minutes.
Diving
Le The Donator is perfectly preserved. At the back of the ship, the massive propeller propeller dangerous. The open hold at the back is more easily accessible. The fauna fauna and du The Donator flora are exceptional
9. Var: the Rubis
The history The sole survivor of the Saphir submarines series at the end of World War II, the Rubis laid 683 mines and sank some fifteen ships. Retired in 1946, it was finally scuttled on July 31, 1958, between Cavalaire et and Saint-Tropez.
Diving Intact, the wreck is very impressive, almost daunting with its forward part elevated above the bottom. So much so that it is possible to pass under the keel at this point. On the deck, the flooring has disappeared as have the propellers at the back. An open panel allows a glimpse inside the submarine. By positioning themselves on the conning tower , divers have a commanding view of the entire wreck and surroundings. It is dangerous to enter the wreck.
The flora is almost nonexistent; however, schools of anthias and dusky groupers swim around the wreck, and congers and moray eels inhabit the various hiding spots offered by the Rubis.
10. Corsica: the B17
The history
bomber plane allied from Italy, the B17 will be attacked by the Germans and will have no choice but to attempt an emergency landing. Of the 10 crew members, 2 were killed during the assault and another was trapped in the tail of the aircraft, never found.
Diving Resting perfectly flat on the sand at a depth of 25 meters, this wreck is in fairly good condition. The wings and the 4 engines are still in place but only one propeller remains intact. The nose and tail of the aircraft have disappeared but the seats are still attached to the fuselage. There, you encounter moray eels, cardinalfish, wrasses, and scorpionfish.