Magnolia 7-1-16

The Magnolia is the stern section of the San Saba consisting of the boilers, shaft, and propeller.  The San Saba was an iron hulled freighter sunk in October 1918.  This wreck is known for artifacts such as .22 caliber bullets, jelly jars, bone toothbrushes, and brass screws.  It is also a great wreck for seafood and today there was plenty.

I first dove the San Saba on 7/6/1987 which is almost 29 years ago to the day.  It also was my very first wreck dive in NJ.  I actually came home with jelly jars on that very first wreck dive and I was hooked on wreck diving ever since.  Every summer I take off of work and sneak out to dive on a Friday aboard the Dina Dee and I always enjoy myself.  I typically only know one or two of the divers and find its a great opportunity to meet new divers.  Today was no exception, I only knew Capt Roger and Trisha and therefore, got to meet some really nice divers.

 I was the last diver to splash today and as the wreck came into view I was pleasantly surprised to find 25-30' of visibility.  As soon as I was reached the bottom my BC inflator started spewing out a ton of air and I could not fix it so I had to disconnect it.  I tried my best to disconnect it by myself but, just could not do it. Thankfully, the mate Dennis was nearby and I was able to have him disconnect it for me.  He saved my dive!!!  When I returned home it was the inflator post that became unscrewed a bit so it was an easy fix.

I am inside the boiler looking out

Comb Jelly

We were tied into the shaft close to the boilers. I swam towards the boilers and actually swam into one of the them since all of the sea bass were gathering in there to hide from the spear fishermen.  There were giant sea anemones inside the boiler and just tons of fish, great for pictures.  After quite a spending quite a bit of time there, I swam along the debris field adjacent to the shaft to the end of the wreck.  There were plenty of nice black fish and I saw a few flounder too. I was wondering if divers are still finding the jelly jars on the wreck or are those days long gone.   If I had not found a jelly jar all those years ago diving the San Saba, I wonder if I would still be diving wrecks.  It is what first inspired me to go back out and dive another wreck...

The bottom temperature was 50 degrees and there was a noticeable thermocline to where it warmed to 68 degrees at 20' or so hang.  I also saw my first red jellyfish of the year, a sign of warmer waters moving in.

There were quite a few lobsters and sea bass boated and a few flounder too.  It is so much better to spend my day out diving than working...I think I will be up for a few more Friday dives this year.  Thanks to Capt. Roger, Trisha, Mate Dennis and the best helper Tommy for a fun and safe day!

                                       
                             Happy 4th of July Everyone!