It's an hour past midnight, June 29th 1942. The British tanker EMPIRE MICA, a 431 ft. ship built just the year before, found itself in the cross hairs of the German U-Boat U-67. On that night WWII would no longer be a world away. The EMPIRE MICA was returning from Baytown Texas fully loaded with 11,200 ton's of aviation fuel. She had just left Cape San Blas on the ten fathom curve cruising at 11 knots. The heavily laden ship will be easy prey. As two torpedo's slam into the ship's port side, it soon becomes the U-67's fifth Gulf victim in 13 days. The Capt. of the U-boat will soon receive the knights cross for his successes.
Within minutes the Gulf is ablaze and WWII finds itself within a mere 26 miles of Cape San Blas. In the raging inferno Second Engineer Joseph Steele hurries to disengage the engine so the lifeboats can be launched. Flames devour the engine room and Steele, a hero to the survivors does not escape. Of the three lifeboats lowered, two, along with their occupants are consumed by the flames.
Two pleasure boats from Apalachicola are dispatched. The SEA DREAM and the COUNTESS upon arrival they find out that only 14 of 47 men had lived thru the night. The following year the MICA's nemesis, the U-67 would be sunk in the Sargasso Sea.
Diving the EMPIRE MICA is much more than just a dive trip. It is a trip into the past where you get to become one with the history of the ship and the men who sailed her. The EMPIRE MICA is not just a wreck dive, it is THE WRECK DIVE of the Gulf of Mexico. The wreck lies in a location that can be very unforgiving when it comes to weather. High seas and bad currents can make this a very difficult dive. However, much of the time in the summer months it is relatively calm and free of current. Feel free to contact us anytime to find out what the conditions where like on the last trip. We look forward to serving you soon. | |
