Martinique · Martinique · Wreck
Dahlia wreck
A US-built minesweeper that burned in Saint-Pierre harbour
Area photo: Waielbi · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Dahlia was a US-built minesweeper, launched in 1942 and transferred to the French Navy, which used her for mine clearance and then stationed her in the Antilles. Sold in 1959 to a Saint-Pierre company, she caught fire in the harbour when workers converting her set her wooden hull alight with a blowtorch. Divers find her remains in 25 to 30 m of water.
Also known as Le Dahlia, Dahlia.
Where it is and how deep
14.7392° N, 61.1826° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The minesweeper is explored between 25 and 30 m, deeper than the Diamant and shallower than the Biscaye. All three hulls fit into a single dive for divers in a hurry, but taking them two at a time leaves room to explore. Fixed life covers the wrecks and gives them an odd atmosphere that suits wide, moody photographs.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Dahlia
- Type
- Minesweeper
- Built
- 1942
- Cause
- Caught fire in Saint-Pierre harbour when a blowtorch set her wooden hull alight
- Lies
- About 200 m off the Saint-Pierre pontoon, between 25 and 30 m
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good |
Season follows Martinique: February to April is the best window; the wet season runs June to November, with cyclone risk in September and October.
Sources
- A Papa D'lo dive club — sites — A Papa D'lo
- Wrecks of Saint-Pierre harbor — Wikipedia
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