Carter’s Dive

Back from a diving trip, Mary Jean Carter of Veolia Water here sent this photo along with a note:

Don’t know if you've been following the story of the Navy sinking the USS Oriskany to make the world’s largest man-made reef.

I dove it a few weeks ago. We were among the first to dive it since the sinking. Prior to the trip, I did a lot of research on the history of the “Mighty O” – sister ship to the “Bonnie Dick” (USS Bonhomme Richard), Senator John McCain's ship, the fire. My dad had friends stationed aboard while he was on the BHR.

During predive briefing, we were told another dive shop had already hung an American flag off the top of the island. But you can’t imagine, or rather you can imagine the enormous wave of emotion felt as we descended the line and first saw that huge flag waving above her deck! Chilling!

I touched the flight deck at 138’ and briefly thanked all the men and women who served aboard the “Mighty O” and other ships.