Welcome to Sea-Ventures, U-1105 Dive Page
*_Go Wreck Diving in the Potomac in 2007!_* (Nov, 2007)
Diving in the Potomac, what could be better? The German World War II U-boat, the U-1105
is located approximately 10 miles from the Chesapeake Bay, in the Potomac River. This
U-boat is a unique piece of history and a very interesting dive.
The conditions must be just right to dive the wreck. Catching the tides, currents, and winds
just right takes some doing. The currents can range from 2 knots to none, the waves can
range from 5 feet to as peaceful as a lake on a summer afternoon.
Sea Ventures is one of the few dive shops that regularly runs charters to the U-1105. Come
join us to experience this wreck. We do a two tank dive led by our expert instructors.
The obvious questions are "Is there any visibility?" "What would I see?". Well, even in the
worst conditions, you can "see" the sub. The visibility will range from as little as a foot or so
to as high as about 10 feet. Generally, it is about 3-4 feet. With a good light, you can
definitely see the sub. You can see the conning tower and the periscope.
Become one of the few divers to experience diving the U-1105.
Divers should be wreck certified. Training is available at Sea Ventures.
Certain equipment is necessary.
*_Required Equipment_*: Two Tanks (Filled), Regulator w/alternate air source, Buoyancy
compensator, Weights and Weight Belt, full wet suit 3MM-7MM (depending on the season),
Submersible Pressure Gauge, Air Gauge, Bottom Timer or Computer, Dive Tables, Knife,
Certification
Card(s), Logbook, Wreck reel, Lift Bag, Strong Dive Light. Surface Signaling device, i.e.
"Safety Sausage", "See-me Sausage" or similar device.
*_Recommended Equipmen_*t: Gloves, Hood, Sea Sick Medicine, Camera,
Save-A-Dive kit, Surface, Dry Bag, Slate.
*_Items for the boat_*: LUNCH/SNACKS/DRINKS, Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Hat, Warm
Clothes, Towel
We meet the dive charter boat in Piney Point, Maryland. The boat holds 6 divers including
our guide instructor. Show time for the dock depends on the time of the dives on that day.
That dive time is scheduled in
advance based on the tides. Waivers and check are done at the dock.
*_A Brief History_*:
The U-1105 was a modified Type VII-C German submarine outfitted with an experimental
synthetic rubber skin designed to counter Allied sonar devices. The black rubber coating
earned her the name "Schwarz [Black] Panther." At the end of WWII, the Black Panther was
surrendered to the
British and eventually was turned over to the United States Navy for study and
experimentation.
After studying her unique rubber-tiled skin at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington,
the Navy selected the U-1105 as a target for the testing demolition. She was towed to
Solomons Island MD for the deep-water tests and final demolition of was scheduled for
September 19, 1949. At 12:30 PM the U-1105 was lifted from the water by the explosion,
and then again by the secondary shock wave. She went down in 20 seconds in over 91 feet
of water, with 65 feet of water over her. She landed upright on the bottom, her pressure hull
cracked open by the explosion all the way around to the keel; but otherwise intact. The Navy
left little evidence to mark the test and for the next 36 years the U-1105 would be all but lost
to history.
In 1985, the wreck was rediscovered by a team of sport divers and has been the subject of
several archaeological survey expeditions. The U-1105 site is located approximately one
mile west of Piney Point MD (38° 08" 10' N. - 76° 33" 10' W). Between April and
December, a blue and white buoy marks the lower gun deck of the wreck. The conning
tower rises to within 68 feet of the surface.
For more history of the U-1105 click on:
https://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/ES-Programs/Conservation/Panther/panther2.html
Generally, it is an easy drive from Washington, Baltimore, or Norfolk. You are responsible
for your own accommodations.
Contact us to join the fun at info@seaventures-scuba.com
or call the shop at 703-425-7676
*_Go Wreck Diving in the Potomac in 2007!_* (Nov, 2007)
Diving in the Potomac, what could be better? The German World War II U-boat, the U-1105
is located approximately 10 miles from the Chesapeake Bay, in the Potomac River. This
U-boat is a unique piece of history and a very interesting dive.
The conditions must be just right to dive the wreck. Catching the tides, currents, and winds
just right takes some doing. The currents can range from 2 knots to none, the waves can
range from 5 feet to as peaceful as a lake on a summer afternoon.
Sea Ventures is one of the few dive shops that regularly runs charters to the U-1105. Come
join us to experience this wreck. We do a two tank dive led by our expert instructors.
The obvious questions are "Is there any visibility?" "What would I see?". Well, even in the
worst conditions, you can "see" the sub. The visibility will range from as little as a foot or so
to as high as about 10 feet. Generally, it is about 3-4 feet. With a good light, you can
definitely see the sub. You can see the conning tower and the periscope.
Become one of the few divers to experience diving the U-1105.
Divers should be wreck certified. Training is available at Sea Ventures.
Certain equipment is necessary.
*_Required Equipment_*: Two Tanks (Filled), Regulator w/alternate air source, Buoyancy
compensator, Weights and Weight Belt, full wet suit 3MM-7MM (depending on the season),
Submersible Pressure Gauge, Air Gauge, Bottom Timer or Computer, Dive Tables, Knife,
Certification
Card(s), Logbook, Wreck reel, Lift Bag, Strong Dive Light. Surface Signaling device, i.e.
"Safety Sausage", "See-me Sausage" or similar device.
*_Recommended Equipmen_*t: Gloves, Hood, Sea Sick Medicine, Camera,
Save-A-Dive kit, Surface, Dry Bag, Slate.
*_Items for the boat_*: LUNCH/SNACKS/DRINKS, Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Hat, Warm
Clothes, Towel
We meet the dive charter boat in Piney Point, Maryland. The boat holds 6 divers including
our guide instructor. Show time for the dock depends on the time of the dives on that day.
That dive time is scheduled in
advance based on the tides. Waivers and check are done at the dock.
*_A Brief History_*:
The U-1105 was a modified Type VII-C German submarine outfitted with an experimental
synthetic rubber skin designed to counter Allied sonar devices. The black rubber coating
earned her the name "Schwarz [Black] Panther." At the end of WWII, the Black Panther was
surrendered to the
British and eventually was turned over to the United States Navy for study and
experimentation.
After studying her unique rubber-tiled skin at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington,
the Navy selected the U-1105 as a target for the testing demolition. She was towed to
Solomons Island MD for the deep-water tests and final demolition of was scheduled for
September 19, 1949. At 12:30 PM the U-1105 was lifted from the water by the explosion,
and then again by the secondary shock wave. She went down in 20 seconds in over 91 feet
of water, with 65 feet of water over her. She landed upright on the bottom, her pressure hull
cracked open by the explosion all the way around to the keel; but otherwise intact. The Navy
left little evidence to mark the test and for the next 36 years the U-1105 would be all but lost
to history.
In 1985, the wreck was rediscovered by a team of sport divers and has been the subject of
several archaeological survey expeditions. The U-1105 site is located approximately one
mile west of Piney Point MD (38° 08" 10' N. - 76° 33" 10' W). Between April and
December, a blue and white buoy marks the lower gun deck of the wreck. The conning
tower rises to within 68 feet of the surface.
For more history of the U-1105 click on:
https://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/ES-Programs/Conservation/Panther/panther2.html
Generally, it is an easy drive from Washington, Baltimore, or Norfolk. You are responsible
for your own accommodations.
Contact us to join the fun at info@seaventures-scuba.com
or call the shop at 703-425-7676
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| Sea Ventures is proud to sponsor Northern Virginia's premiere dive club, NoVa-Ventures. Click on the NoVa-Ventures banner to find out how you can join in the fun. |
| Sea Ventures Dive Shop 9444 Main Street Fairfax, VA 22031-4032 703-425-7676 |
