| The latest shipwreck dive site in the Florida Keys for | | | | Divers then pull themselves down towards the |
| scuba divers is the USS Spiegel Grove. This is a | | | | wreck. Unlike the Duane which has descent lines on |
| former US Navy Landing Ship Dock that was sunk in | | | | both ends of the ship, the Spiegel Grove has three |
| 2002 to create an artificial reef in Key Largo, much like | | | | lines since it is a much larger ship. The ascent and |
| the Duane and Bibb ships were in the same general | | | | safety stop is on these same lines since the currents |
| area. The Spiegel Grove is 510 feet in length and 84 | | | | can be strong at any depth. It is highly recommended |
| feet wide making it the largest of the shipwrecks | | | | that any cameras and other devices are secured by |
| accessible to scuba divers in the Florida Keys. This | | | | lanyards since losing them in these currents is possible. |
| wreck sits at a depth of 134 feet near Dixie Shoals | | | | As one descends on the Spiegel Grove, one will see |
| and the depth at the highest point of the ship is about | | | | just how large this ship is. This will keep many divers |
| 60 to 65 feet depending on the tide level. | | | | excited. Lots of divers in the area have dived the |
| The Spiegel Grove had been lying on her starboard | | | | Spiegel Grove before and are only happy to dive it |
| side after initial sinking and was reported to be a great | | | | again to explore the different compartments |
| dive. Hurricane Denis which greatly affected the | | | | accessible in the wreck. This ship is also unique as it |
| south Florida area, actually made this wreck dive even | | | | has a large crane in the stern area since it was used |
| better. The waves and surges from the hurricane | | | | as a landing ship dock. For enthusiasts interested in |
| were strong enough to push the entire ship to an | | | | the beauty of shipwrecks themselves, this will be |
| upright position much like how the Duane is sitting. | | | | considered a great dive. The only downside to this |
| This resulted in better orientation of the ship for scuba | | | | dive is the amount of marine life on the wreck. |
| divers especially since there are some swim throughs | | | | Barracuda, large angelfish and other fish can be |
| located throughout the wreck. | | | | spotted on the Spiegel Grove but not nearly as many |
| Most of the scuba dive operators in Key Largo have | | | | as on the Duane. This is why some divers may still |
| dive trips to the Spiegel Grove since this site is the | | | | prefer the Duane over the Spiegel Grove if marine life |
| latest rage in the local scuba diving. Since it is a deep | | | | is their primary interest in scuba diving. But the |
| dive, advance certification is required. Scuba divers | | | | Spiegel Grove is still a relatively new dive site |
| can also dive the Spiegel Grove as part of their | | | | compared to the Duane so in time, the amount of |
| advance certification course. The dive plan for this | | | | marine life will increase at this site making it even |
| wreck is very similar to that of the Duane. The dive | | | | better in the future. Both the Spiegel Grove and the |
| site is often in an area with heavy currents so as soon | | | | Duane are highly recommended dives for all scuba |
| as divers jump in the water, they have to go grab a | | | | divers with a minimum of advance certification when |
| line and pull themselves towards the front of the dive | | | | diving in the Key Largo area. |
| boat where the line is attached to the descent line. | | | | |