11 replies to this topic

[ZenKim]

Hi All!

I don't know about you, but my favorite dive destination is North Carolina. I love to dive the wrecks. I have been to quite a few of them, but still haven't been on the most important to me personally. The U-85.
Why is it so important to me? You ask......... Well my grandfather, Frank B. Miller was a navy diver in WWII and when the U-85 was sunk off the coast of NC, he was the diver that first entered the sub. He pulled all of the German sailors off and brought them up. I grew up on his stories about that wreck and the other dive experiences that he had. Now I want to dive the U-85.
Has anyone out there been on the U-85? I have heard that there is not much left and would like any information you may have. I know it is deep and cold, so I will probably wait until I get drysuit cerification. Any thoughts on the subject?

ZenKim

[Walter]

Kim,

That's a great story, thanks for sharing it with us.

I love wrecks as well and am looking forward to diving some of them off North Carolina's cost this summer.

I wish I had some details on U-85 for you.

Walter

[WreckWench]

I know you are diving Hatteras this year...what were the dates again? Since I was planning a trip to NC for singles...we might see about doing Hatteras for the weekend July 23-25/26 to try and dive the U-85. I have people interested in doing a singles trip this weekend so can you join us for that date and perhaps we try to dive Hatteras? ww

[ZenKim]

Hi WreckWench,
I had already reserved that weekend for a trip with you. The other weekends on Red, Wet and Blue I, unfortunately am unavailable. Darn it!!! I was looking forward to diving with you again!!! Please let me know if you schedule something.

ZenKim

[DandyDon]

I'm looking forward to going back again.

This is a bigger trip for me, flying in from Texas and all - somewhat as challenging as flying to anywhere I dive, anyway. I'm going to save myself for the October party!

don!

Edited by DandyDon, 19 March 2004 - 01:02 PM.

[Walter]

My brother also lives in Virginia. We were recently talking about meeting in NC for some wreck dives this summer.

[coppermaus]

Hey, Kim,

I bet listening to your grandfather's diving stories was very interesting. Probably part of the reason you took it up yourself? After seeing your post I read up on the U-85 in a great book called Shipwrecks: Diving the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The story of how the U-85 went down is pretty interesting. The Americans were still pretty inexperienced in warfare in home waters at that time, and rather than taking in any of the 29 Germans floating in lifejackets on the surface, they set off another depth charge, just in case, killing all remaining survivors.

Like you, I love diving the wrecks off the Carolina coast but also have not been on the U-85. The book confirms what you say about currents and cold. Let us know if you end up going. That'll be an interesting trip report.

[overseas]

I have dove both the u-85 and the u-352 both in NC. The u-85 can get down right cold ( 50+-)and had a max depth of around 100 feet. The U-352, is in deeper water max depth around 120 i belive. Both wrecks are in bad shape, but they are still some great dives. Try to find a small charter to take you out ( they are all i will use) several of the large cattle boats run out there, but then the site is way over crowded since there is nothing there but a smll submarine and mud.

[VaScubaGirl]

Y'all really do need to come on out and dive the Graveyard with us. I agree with ZenKim...the wrecks off of NC are amazing. The water is generally warm and clear thanks to the jet stream and the wildlife and artificial reefs are great. In general, it's more likely to see bigger wildlife there than where you see in Florida and Cozumel.

[Walter]

Y'all really do need to come on out and dive the Graveyard with us.

Sounds good to me.

[WreckWench]

I have dove both the u-85 and the u-352 both in NC. The u-85 can get down right cold ( 50+-)and had a max depth of around 100 feet. The U-352, is in deeper water max depth around 120 i belive. Both wrecks are in bad shape, but they are still some great dives. Try to find a small charter to take you out ( they are all i will use) several of the large cattle boats run out there, but then the site is way over crowded since there is nothing there but a smll submarine and mud.

Hi....hopefully you'll post in our intro section...we'd love for you to tell us more about yourself! -ww

[WreckWench]

Well you all are in luck...just so happens I have a number of trips to NC you can join me on:

Memorial Day 5-29-31 diving days (1 spot left)
July 2-5 diving days SINGLES TRIP (14 spots left)
Aug 13-15 diving days (16 spots left)
Aug 27-29 diving days (15 spots left)
Oct 1-3 diving days SINGLES TRIP (14 spots left)

Just so you know...spots fill fast because I can have an entire group come in and take the boat. In fact, more then likely the first trip in Aug will go away this week but I'm not sure.

Pkg includes diving, hotel, bbq dinner first day of diving with beer and wine, air 80 rentals for fly in divers, lead and belts if needed, transfer from RDU airport to MoreHead City, breakfast and lunch daily on the boat, etc. Pricing will be in the trips section shortly.