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The Diamond Knot Ship
Review by: Michael Parker, Systems Manager, Dept. of Radiology / parker@u.washington.edu
Reprinted from School of Oceanography, U. of W.
Description
The Diamond Knot was a large, 360' cargo ship that sank in a 2-boat collision
in 1946. The actual collision occurred out in the Straits of Juan De Fuca,
but in the process of attempting to tow it into shore, the Diamond Knot
(conveniently) sank in diveable waters. The significance of this wreck was
that it contained 10% of the 1946 Alaska's canned salmon production. Something
like 2 million dollars worth of salmon! This produced Washington States
largest wreck salvage operation at the time. The salvage team cut huge (10'
by 50') plates out of the port and deck of the ship, and basically sucked
out all the cans of salmon. The Diamond Knot rests on her starboard side,
facing East. The large plates now gently rest on the bottom of the Sound
in around 140 fsw, with the top of the port side in around 70 fsw. The above
image (sorry, the image was not provided to us) is one of the more "famous"
inhabitants of the Diamond Knot. This wolf eel, and his mate live in a boom
down near the bottom (starboard side), in around 100 fsw. As far as most
people know, they have been there for 10+ years.
MAJOR KNOT UPDATE, June 1998. Parker dove the Knot in early June
and is sad to report that the mid-section of the Knot has collapsed on
to itself and is nothing more than a massive junk pile sitting on the
bottom. Although this can not be confirmed, Parker would estimate that
approx 200' of ship has collapsed to the bottom, leaving the stern, superstructure
and possibly the bow. Parker never made it to the bow of the ship to confirm
this.
Due to the collapse of the ship's midsection, Parker will guess that most divers will dive the stern/superstructure portion of the wreck from
now on. The rubble pile is deeper than most people will be willing to travel
when diving the Knot. Only the brave will attempt trips from the stern
to what remains of the bow.
Location
The Diamond Knot rests in the Straight of Juan De Fuca, approximately 15
miles west of Port Angeles, and approximately, 500 yards off shore. It
is a boat dive, only. Many boats charter to the wreck. Feel free to write
me for references.
GPS Coordinates:
Note: These were provided by Joel Clark (joel@SSD.intel.com), much thanks
for them!
N 48° 10.298' W 123° 42.576'
Parker's Comments
The Diamond Knot is by far, the best non-technical wreck dive the Puget
Sound has to offer. The ship is completely covered in invertebrate life,
and is home to many large wolf eels, lingcod, rockfish, cabezons, warbonnets,
eelpouts, sculpins, king crab, metridium, soft corals, and much, much more.
Because there are large holes in the ship where the plates were cut out,
it makes penetrating the cargo hold easy. As in, unless someone were to
point it out to you, I seriously doubt you would realize that you were
inside the ship, because of the loss of the overhead environment. The superstructure
is still somewhat penetrable, and is a favorite location for local wreck
penetration courses. And, with the booms still attached and hanging in
the water, no matter how many times you've dove the wreck, you still have
not seen it all. Personally, this dive site is my absolute favorite dive
site in NW. Feel free to contact myself or Eric for more information on
the wreck and charters. If you have the time, and want to do a priceless
wreck in the NW, this is for you. I really give this two Thumbs Up
on the Parker Scale!
Eric's Comments
This is the greatest dive site I have every been to. It is simply too cool for
words. I give this site two Thumbs Up. Definitely a worthy use of
Nitrox.
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