About Who's Been Here Photos Revisions Tarpon Cape Hatteras, NC More Info Max Depth: 131-140ft/40-43m Entry Type: Boat Aquatic Life: Plenty To See Rating: 5.00 by 2 divers 8/29/2009 7:13 PM

Tarpon is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Cape Hatteras, NC. This dive site has an average rating of 5.00 out of 5 from 2 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 131-140ft/40-43m.

The U.S.S. Tarpon is an American submarine that served in the Pacific during World War II. She sank off Cape Hatteras in 1957 and now rests in 140 feet of water.

SHIP NOTES: (Gentile)
Name: TARPON (SS-175) Type: SubmarineDate Sunk: 8/26/1957Cause: Foundered under tow to the salvage yardDate Launched: 9/4/1935Armament: One 4" gun/ Six 21" torpedo tubes
/2 .50 caliber machine guns/2 .30 caliber machine gunesSize (ft.): 298 x 25 x 15 Tonnage: 1500 tons (surface)
1990 tons (submerged)Propulsion: 4 diesel engines/4 electric motors
(19.5k surfaced/ 8.25k submerged)
DIVING NOTES:Diving Depths: 130-140 ft.Current: None to strong; generally appears to run from stern to bowVisibility: Generally in excess of 60 feetSummer Temperature: mid to high 70sPoints of Interest: It’s a submarine!Fish/Animal Life: The Tarpon was once known for the large number of sandtigers that used live in the waters surrounding the wreck. Those haven’t been seen in over 15 years now, but the odd sandtiger o r two will occasionally show up. Be on the lookout for the very large southern stingrays that seem to be always cruising the wreck, particularly near the bow end. I have also spotted loggerhead turtles on the wreck. [Note: In 2004, the sandtiger sharks have made a return to the wreck.]Description: This wreck either fascinates you (because it is a submarine) or bores you to death ("a sewer pipe on the bottom of the ocean"). In either case, the Tarpon caused much excitement when it was first discovered. When and who discovered it is the subject of much furor as there are at least two competing claims of "first dives" in two published books. I vote for anonymous! Anyway, the subs pressure hull is intact and lies on its keel, with only a slight list. The wreck is relatively small and can be covered easily in one dive. The conning tower has been pulled off/fallen and now lies in the sand on the port side of the wreck. The extreme bow point has been broken off and lies bent at about a 90 degree angle to the rest of the wreck. For the properly trained, the pressure hull can be penetrated at several points. As with other wrecks in this part of NC waters, the Tarpon often gets covered with a green algae until the water warms sufficiently in the summer.
http://www.nc-wreckdiving.com/WRECKS/TARPON/TARPON.HTML

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

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