1. Posting from one of the technical forums:

The latest theory is not that the storm "moved" the ship so much as it helped roll or tilt it. Semantics maybe, but the reasoning is due to the fact that since she has been deployed a scour has washed out around the hull, typical of most wrecks. This storm probably just caused a little lift, and then the hull rolled off the edge and the keel dropped into the washout where she was righted into place. So, perhaps the concern over further movement is unwarranted as she will likely settle into the washout.

Posted at 4:34PM on Jul 12th 2005 by Bill Reals

2. Nevertheless, considering how far Dennis passed from the Spiegel, it -- rolling, tilting, moving, shoving, what have you -- is a monumental feat.

Posted at 5:56PM on Jul 12th 2005 by Willy

3. That must have been an incredible suprise for the first guys to dive on the wreck after it happened. You can't see the ship from the surface; you have to descend a bit first. Imagine swimming down and seeing instead of a wall of hull, the boxy contours of the upper deck, as it was intended. I'd love to hear their reactions -- does anyone know who the first guys to find it were?

I dove on the Spiegel Grove last October and had a fantastic time -- now I definitely want to go back and do it again.

Posted at 8:01PM on Jul 12th 2005 by eriktown

4. The Spiegel has to be one of my favorite Florida wreck dives....it's a little eerie to descend upon to begin with, and the visibility isn't the greatest because it sits pretty deep. I wonder what the visibility is like right after the storm. It will probably be January before I get back there! I can't wait to see the changes the storm made to the site.

Posted at 1:39AM on Jul 13th 2005 by deco chic

5. Deep?? As far as I can tell 130 feet (max depth) is just over 40m. Usually there isn't much to see at the bottom when wrecks are concerned (except props) so let's say one would usually stay above 35m.
I'd consider it just another regular dive... over here you don't really see much above 20m (60feet), actually it's pointless to even go in the water if that's your limit (OWD).
Most of the diving is done (well) below 30m (~90feet).
Things sure are different on coral reefs ;)

Posted at 7:27AM on Jul 13th 2005 by Jernej

6. Cool. I thought there were going to fundraise to right the ship but I guess it's no longer necessary. Of course, another storm could send it sideways again.

Posted at 6:22PM on Jul 13th 2005 by Eric

7. The Key Largo Chamber of Commerce Artificial Reef Committee requires you to purchase a medallion which is $10 and is good for a year of diving. Medallion sales are meant to defray the cost of cleanup, preparation, and towing. You are right however, who knows how what will happen down there. The currents are usually quite strong on a light day, and that thing is just absolutely huge......it could move again.......maybe.

Jernej......yes the dive site is marked as advanced.......dive operators in the Keys will not let OWD dive Spiegel. You do see some life at around 60 feet, but it's just cool to go deeper and look at the props. Plus both of my dives there I encountered a Goliath Grouper that was at least 4-5 feet long. As a reef Spiegel has some growing to do, but it has only been down there for 2-3 years. It's going to take a while for coral to grow.....so Spiegel is not the Turks and Caicos or anything exotic like Croatia, but it is a cool dive.....try it if you are ever in town.....you might like it.

Posted at 5:40PM on Jul 15th 2005 by deco chic

8. What kind of forces can do that?? How can currents be that strong? I mean, if you were down there at the time the hurricane went by, would it feel like you were being pushed by a strong wind? How fast would the currents have to be moving??

Posted at 9:15PM on Dec 29th 2005 by Dissent