If you enjoy going on unique vacations Outer Banks history offers an historical opportunity that offers
two separate ways to enjoy one of the OBX’s most famous locations. The Graveyard of the Atlantic is a stretch of
water off the coast of North Carolina along the Outer Banks. It is known for being the entombment of
thousands of ships and seamen lost at sea.
This stretch of water is dangerous as it is where the two main currents
along the eastern seaboard converge and create treacherous waves and turbulence
making it difficult to navigate.
Probably the most
difficult area is just off the coast of Cape Hatteras. Known as Diamond Shoals, this is a large area
of sand shoals that stick up like diamonds and extend out about 14 miles off
shore. Because of the changing tides and
currents, the sand constantly shifts creating shoals that move positions. Lighthouses along the Outer Banks light the
way to assist in the navigation of the ships along this dangerous stretch of
water.
Getting wrapped up in the history of the Graveyard of the
Atlantic is easy and fun. It is, without
a doubt, a must-do for history buffs and divers alike. There is so much to see whether diving down
to the sites of shipwrecks or spending an afternoon at the North Carolina
Maritime Museum in Cape Hatteras.
The History of the Graveyard of the
Atlantic
While there have been thousands of shipwrecks over the past
400+ years, there have been several that have made it into the history
books. The first one is actually the
first recorded shipwreck that dates back to the mid-1500s. It sank at the mouth
of the Cape Fear River. The USS Monitor
is probably the most well-known shipwreck which occurred during the Civil
War. Almost a year ago, the HMS Bounty,
the replica sailing ship built for the movie, Mutiny on the Bounty, was sailing
from the coast of Maine and down the eastern coast. It ended up sinking off the coast of North
Carolina during Hurricane Sandy even though it tried to sail around it.
A visit to the Hatteras
location of the North
Carolina Maritime Museums is a fascinating and extensive exhibit that
relays the stories of the famous shipwrecks like the USS Monitor, the German
U-Boats, the history of the US Lifesaving Service and lighthouses as well as the
history of the Graveyard of the Atlantic.
In addition to the exhibits, the museum offers programs, events and so much
more throughout the year like kids events, crafting activities, movies and
other historical programs. History buffs, especially maritime aficionados,
easily spend a day or two at the Maritime Museum taking in everything.
Diving the Graveyard
Another way to soak in (literally soak in) the history of
the waters off the OBX is to dive some of the shipwrecks. Some of the more popular dives include the
Papoose which was a tanker that was torpedoed by the German U124 sub in
1942.
Stretching out 412 feet about 120 feet
down along the ocean’s floor, the Papoose is filled with so much sea life as it
has become a reef providing tons of food for everything living below the
surface.
Another popular spot to dive is the U352, a German U Boat
that also sank in 1942. It is typically
the first spot to which divers head simply because it is a classic dive filled
with so much life.
Because there are so many potential dive sites, OBX diving
shops are the best ways to wreck dive.
Companies like Outer Banks Dive Center
in Nags Head or Outer Banks Diving
in Hatteras have charters that head out daily to the various sites depending on
which ones are the most visible.
A More Entertaining Trip
No matter the purpose of your OBXvacations, including a trip to the North Carolina Maritime Museum in
Hatteras or wreck diving to see the Graveyard of the Atlantic firsthand with
local dive shops makes for a more entertaining and thrilling trip.
No comments:
Post a Comment