Thunderbolt Wreck

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Thunderbolt is a 189 foot long shipwreck 5 miles southeast of Marathon Key in Florida. She was intentionally sunk as an artificial reef in 1986. She currently sits in 115 feet of water and is regarded as one of the best wreck diving sites in the Middle Keys region, due the the extent of coral growth and variety of marine animals found on her.

[edit] History

This ship began life as a US Army cable ship on June 2, 1942, under the commissioned name of USS Randolph[1]. Built by Marietta Manufacturing Company, she was one of 16 ships in a series built for to lay coastal defensive minefields for the Army Coastal Artillery Corps[2].

In 1949, the US Navy took over coastal mine laying operations, and the Randolph was transferred to the Navy. She was never commissioned a naval vessel and lay in the Naval reserve 'mothball fleet' until 1961, when she was purchased by a private company in Miami[3].

In the early 1980's, this vessel was used by the Florida Power and Light Company as a platform for lightning strike research. During this period, she was re-christened Thunderbolt, because of the many hits she took.

The Florida Keys Artificial Reef Association took control of the vessel after she sunk while docked in Miami[4]. She was cleaned and prepared for sinking as an artificial reef, then sunk in 120 feet of water on March 3, 1986.

[edit] Diving the Thunderbolt

The Thunderbolt currently rests upright on a sand bottom off Marathon Key. She sits at 95-100 feet to her main deck, and 120 feet to the sand. The main superstructure was cleared of most entanglement hazard prior to sinking, so she provides ample opportunity for penetration. Her lower decks are largely clear of debris, although very silty, and the many openings and exits in the deck provide easy entry and exit points.

Coral growth on the Thunderbolt is extensive, although less than similar wrecks like the USCGC Bibb and USCGC Duane (WPG-33). Barracuda, mackerel, yellow fin tuna, jacks, and grouper are often seen on the wreck, as well as the occasional bull shark. The area around the ship is abundant with conch, making it a popular place for divers to find shells.

Current can become considerable on the Thunderbolt, which coupled with its depth, makes it an advanced dive. Most divers on the Thunderbolt opt to use a light Enriched Air (32% O2) mixture because of the significant increase in bottom time, especially for repetitive dives.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Dive site:Thunderbolt wreck -Middlekeysdivesites.com: Scuba diving in Paradise, the middle Florida Keys scuba divers Marathon to Big Pine Key with underwater tropical reef fish and see maps of wrecks at diveshops
  2. ^ Welcome to the NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
  3. ^ Welcome to the NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
  4. ^ Dive site:Thunderbolt wreck -Middlekeysdivesites.com: Scuba diving in Paradise, the middle Florida Keys scuba divers Marathon to Big Pine Key with underwater tropical reef fish and see maps of wrecks at diveshops