About Photos Revisions Keshena Ocracoke, NC More Info Max Depth: 81-90ft/25-27m Average Viz: 51-60ft/16-18m Entry Type: Boat Bottom Composition: Sand Aquatic Life: Plenty To See 8/29/2009 4:51 PM

Keshena is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Ocracoke, NC. The maximum depth is 81-90ft/25-27m. The average visibility is 51-60ft/16-18m.

Name: KESHENA Type: Tug Boat Date Sunk: 7/19/42 Cause: Struck friendly mine Size (ft.): 142 x 27 x 15 Gross Tonnage: 427 Propulsion: Oil engine; electric motor Location N34° 59.610’/W75° 45.718’
SHIP HISTORY: (Gentile, Hickham, Hoyt, Stick, Moore)
The Keshena was called out with another tug (J.P. Martin) to assist a group of wounded ships (S.S. Chilore, J.A. Mowinckle led by destroyer U.S.S. Spry) that had sailed unknowingly into the Cape Hatteras minefield while seeking safety after a u-boat attack (U-576). (The Bluefields sunk earlier from the attack.) As they entered the minefield, the Chilore and the Mowinckle both struck friendly mines. While towing the Mowinckle to the beach for later salvage, the Keshena, in the stern/rudder position for the tow swung outside the cleared channel and hit a friendly mine. She sunk quickly and two crew members were killed. One who was in the engine room during the explosion and one who later drowned.
Diving Depths: 75-90 ft. Visibility: generally greater than 40 ft; often more than 70 ft.
Current: generally slight to none, almost always diveable
Summer Temperature: mid 70s Points of Interest: Upright bow with anchors and windlass; two boilers; intact stern with rudder, propeller and steering quadrant; Fish/Animal Life: Large schools of spadefish; cobia and southern stingray; lots tropicals; lionfish were spotted on the wreck in 2003 Description: The Keshena is one of the most picturesque dives off of North Carolina. Its generally clear water and instact "big" pieces allows for some great wide angle photography. There is also a wealth of small macro stuff. The wreck is contiguous and can easily be circumnavigated several times during a single dive. A single blade of the a 4 blade propeller sticks up just forward of the stern. The wreck is often covered up with baitfish or big schools of spadefish

http://www.nc-wreckdiving.com/WRECKS/KESHENA/KESHENA.HTML

http://www.divehatteras.com/Keshena.html

Web site for videos of various wreck sites in the area-
http://www.olympusdiving.com/PhotoGallery/VideoGallery/tabid/115/Default.aspx