The Duane Wreck

Wreck

The Duane was originally stationed in California until being transferred to the East coast in 1939. During World War II, the Duane was credited, along with her sister cutter Spencer, with sinking the German submarine U-175. The Duane also served as a flagship in the 1944 allied invasion of Southern France and was sent to serve as coastal surveillance during the Vietnam war. On another occasion, the Duane rescued 250 survivors from the Dorchester. The rescue lasted for three days from February 3rd through the 6th. The Duane also escorted boats full of refugees during the 1980's Cuban boat lifts. On August 1, 1985, the Duane was decommissioned.

The Duane sits upright and intact with a slight starboard list in 120 feet of water. The Duane's crow's nest is first reached in 60 feet of water, while her wheel house is in 80 feet. Her main decks are at 98 feet, and her bow points southeast. With the Clear Gulf Stream washing over the site, visibility can be as good as 200 feet, but usually ranges from 30 to 80 feet. A strong current is usually present. We recommend advanced training and experience due to depth and current.

The Duane is now a dynamic dive site and has attracted a huge assortment of marine life. It has been reported that schools of huge barracuda, three to five feet in length, are seen on almost every dive.

**Remember  penetration into any shipwreck should only be done by those with proper training, experience and  wreck diving equipment. Scuba equipment like powerful  dive lights,  navigation reels,  dive knives as well as redundant air supply like a  pony bottle or  doubles are standard gear for wreck divers.**

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