NINA T
Photo courtesy of Dave Millhouser
Type: Eastern
rigged fishing trawler
LOA: 70'
Construction: Wood
Date of Loss: September 1997
Reason: Scuttled
Depth of Water: 105'
Approximate location: 42-34.133N; 070-40.522W
History:
The Nina T was an old fishing trawler
crumbling away at the dock before being selected to join the Chester Poling
just outside of Gloucester Harbor. The sinking was part of an artificial
reef project. The wreck was wrapped in Tyvex plastic wrapping and
dragged out a short distance away from the Poling's stern section.
The wreck was flooded and scuttled. She settled upright but
listing to starboard. The wreck has become a popular second dive to the Poling
and is often referred to as a "classic New England shipwreck" with
her tall wooden masts stretching up towards the surface in an impressive
sight. Time has not been kind to the Nina T however. She is
degrading quickly, now canted sharply to starboard as her hull planks buckle
and disintegrate. The interior has collapsed and the small holds are now
just loose planks. Swimming along the port side it is easy to look
inside and pull planks out. The wheelhouse is still intact and the masts
linger in a fragile state. Swimming around the stern some old plastic
wrap remains as well. The wreck is soon to be a debris field much like a
sister scuttled wreck, the Gannet.
The Nina T offers something for all divers. The conditions are similar to those on the Poling although visibility tends to be a bit poorer. Swimming off the wreck there is interesting debris and small artifacts of various kinds for the sharp eye. The wreck is small and the sand off the wreck is alluring. It's good to run a reel unless the visibility is very good, as the wreck is small and hard to relocate once out of sight. Currents can become strong with tide changes. There is not much in the way of hang-ups, except for on the starboard side in the aft area where there is some line and net. The wreck rises up to about 70 feet, with a max depth of 105 ft. This this is an advanced open water dive but like the Poling, divers of all levels and interests can enjoy this wreck well.
The Nina T offers something for all divers. The conditions are similar to those on the Poling although visibility tends to be a bit poorer. Swimming off the wreck there is interesting debris and small artifacts of various kinds for the sharp eye. The wreck is small and the sand off the wreck is alluring. It's good to run a reel unless the visibility is very good, as the wreck is small and hard to relocate once out of sight. Currents can become strong with tide changes. There is not much in the way of hang-ups, except for on the starboard side in the aft area where there is some line and net. The wreck rises up to about 70 feet, with a max depth of 105 ft. This this is an advanced open water dive but like the Poling, divers of all levels and interests can enjoy this wreck well.