posted by CrankyCronos on Feb 6
Title: BayRonto Dive Weekend
Location: Pine Island, FL
Description: We are putting together a trip to Pine Island, FL Apr 10-11, 2010. All 4 dives are going to be on the BayRonto.
The British freighter BayRonto was built in 1905 by Armstrong Whitworth & Co. in Newcastle. She was originally named Tronto but was renamed when sold in 1916 to Bay S.S. Co. The Bay S.S. Co. was a company formed by the French Government to operate British ships which it had purchased and due to wartime restrictions had to remain under British Flag. The BayRonto was 400 feet long, had a 52 foot beam, displaced 6,405 gross tons and was powered by a 495 nhp triple expansion engine.
The BayRonto had been damaged when she was torpedoed by a German submarine in July of 1918, but after repairs she set out for Marseille. She foundered in heavy seas on September 13, 1919. The ship was carrying a cargo of wheat from Galveston to Marseille at the time. The NEW YORK TIMES reported that eleven of her crew were picked up by the fishing smack Ida and brought to Tampa. The steamship Calno rescued 19 survivors and brought them to Charleston, South Carolina, on September 21. Another 18 survivors were reported to have landed at Havana on September 16. After the final count, the BayRonto’s full complement had been accounted for. The survivors told of how the vessel had foundered during a hurricane, and all but two of her life boats had been smashed by the monstrous waves. Chief Officer Moody and ten crew took to one of the life boats in which they had only five gallons of water and a hundred biscuits as supplies. Two days later they were out of water but were able to use their coats to catch rain water. When they ran out of biscuits, they caught a few fish and ate them raw.
The BayRonto is now “turtled” 30 miles offshore in 100 feet of water with her keel extending upwards to 80 feet. The wreck is broken in half about mid-ship with the stern section held higher by the wheelhouse, resulting in a large cavernous type entrance into the stern section. She usually has a large population of Goliath Grouper hanging around her. The hull of the ship is covered with both hard and soft corals attracting many species of fish both large and small.
BayRonto Wreck Site Plan
The 400′ long x 52′ beam vessel has more than enough stuff for everyone to explore with all 4 dives. We will be renting an entire 3 bedroom cottage just for our use Sat. night. Our base of operations for tank refills, equipment rentals, etc will be Scuba Quest in Cape Coral. The total price for the entire package is $270/head. The bedrooms will be double occupancy, and an advance deposit of $100 (or payment in full) is required in order to book your reservation on this trip. This will ensure everyone has a safe place to stay and ensure your seat on the boat. Slots are first come, first serve so get your reservations in early!
As always, any gear that you may require to accomplish these dives (air/nitrox, lights, safety sausage, actual dive gear, etc) can be rented from Scuba Quest. If you prefer to support your “local” dive shop (LDS), I am sure Ed @ Tampa Scuba Diving 813.787.1815 will be more than happy to assist you with rentals or sales.
In order to keep up to date on all our club events, become a dive club member (if you are not already a member).
If you have any more questions about these dives, or continuing diver education then feel free to contact me. Safe diving!
Start Date: 2010-04-10
Start Time: 08:00
End Date: 2010-04-11
Apr. 10, 2010 – 2 tank Twilight / Night Dive
Apr, 11, 2010 – 2 tank Morning Dives
BayRonto Dive Weekend – $270
BayRonto Dive Weekend Deposit – $100
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