The Belknap

skprbob · 01-13-2007, 02:01 PM

bigpapi34,

The Belknap would be an excellent choice for snorkling. The largest piece of wreckage is a section of deck framework with other timbers scattered about. The max depth ranges from standing to around 12 feet. Come in on the N side of Steamboat Is, toward the footbridge. The Duncan Press chart show it a bit further N than actual, and beware of a few large isolated rocks on the way. You'll notice a shed on the shore of the Island - the main wreckage is around 30 yards directly off that shed. Follow the shore in both directions for additional stuff. If you dive down to it, beware of rusty iron spikes sticking out of the timbers. Otherwise, it's wide open and safe. Don't forget the diver's flag!

Also recommended for snorkling are the Witches, just outside Saunders Bay and the Graveyard in Moultonborough Bay between Melvin Is and Spectacle Is. Keep a sharp lookout for rocks as you enter both areas - they are shallow!

Happy diving!

Grant · 01-13-2007, 03:23 PM

You can see the more shallow wrecks by Ship & Moose Island with a snorkel, but there ain't much to them.

bigpapi34 · 01-13-2007, 07:18 PM

whats on moose island.... like little row boats....? i found a row boat in about 4 feet of water. it was cool and old, we found out how it sank and every thing.

secondcurve · 01-13-2007, 09:17 PM

Grant:

Thanks for the pictures. They are actually quite good!

Waterbaby · 01-13-2007, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skprbob

Also recommended for snorkling are the Witches,

Just a curiosity question, 'cause I'm never going to do it, but if someone wanted to snorkel around the Witches, where would you recommend anchoring your boat? Thanks.

WB

skprbob · 01-14-2007, 10:27 AM

Hi Waterbaby,

Anchor anywhere inside the area. The Witches has a number of scattered rock piles at or near the surface, with channels between them that sometimes get to 8 - 10 feet deep. Assuming you have an small outboard or sterndrive boat, trim your drive up a ways, post a bow lookout, and proceed slowly and carefully into the shoal. This is NOT recommended for large vessels, straight inboards, or any boat on a windy day. Those boats, or a pilot who is uncomfortable going in, can anchor just inside the bouys where there is still adequate depth. If it's windy, anchor on the downwind side of the area. It's also a good idea to bring a non-diver along to stay with the boat while the divers are in the water. Even though the Witches is not a normally travelled channel, bring your diver's flag. Lastly, good samaritans might spot you in the shoal and call Marine Patrol, assuming you're in trouble. As a courtesy, let Marine Patrol know you're there so they don't tie up a patrol boat for a false alarm. Be sure to tell them when you leave!

If you're a fisherman, you could stock your tackle box with lost lures from the Witches!

01-13-2007, 02:01 PM	#1
skprbob Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 19 Mile Bay Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 90 Times in 29 Posts	Belknap, etc. bigpapi34, The Belknap would be an excellent choice for snorkling. The largest piece of wreckage is a section of deck framework with other timbers scattered about. The max depth ranges from standing to around 12 feet. Come in on the N side of Steamboat Is, toward the footbridge. The Duncan Press chart show it a bit further N than actual, and beware of a few large isolated rocks on the way. You'll notice a shed on the shore of the Island - the main wreckage is around 30 yards directly off that shed. Follow the shore in both directions for additional stuff. If you dive down to it, beware of rusty iron spikes sticking out of the timbers. Otherwise, it's wide open and safe. Don't forget the diver's flag! Also recommended for snorkling are the Witches, just outside Saunders Bay and the Graveyard in Moultonborough Bay between Melvin Is and Spectacle Is. Keep a sharp lookout for rocks as you enter both areas - they are shallow! Happy diving!

01-13-2007, 03:23 PM	#2
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,505 Thanks: 385 Thanked 232 Times in 126 Posts	You can see the more shallow wrecks by Ship & Moose Island with a snorkel, but there ain't much to them. __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."

01-14-2007, 10:27 AM	#6
skprbob Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 19 Mile Bay Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 90 Times in 29 Posts	Snorkelling the Witches Hi Waterbaby, Anchor anywhere inside the area. The Witches has a number of scattered rock piles at or near the surface, with channels between them that sometimes get to 8 - 10 feet deep. Assuming you have an small outboard or sterndrive boat, trim your drive up a ways, post a bow lookout, and proceed slowly and carefully into the shoal. This is NOT recommended for large vessels, straight inboards, or any boat on a windy day. Those boats, or a pilot who is uncomfortable going in, can anchor just inside the bouys where there is still adequate depth. If it's windy, anchor on the downwind side of the area. It's also a good idea to bring a non-diver along to stay with the boat while the divers are in the water. Even though the Witches is not a normally travelled channel, bring your diver's flag. Lastly, good samaritans might spot you in the shoal and call Marine Patrol, assuming you're in trouble. As a courtesy, let Marine Patrol know you're there so they don't tie up a patrol boat for a false alarm. Be sure to tell them when you leave! If you're a fisherman, you could stock your tackle box with lost lures from the Witches!

01-13-2007, 07:18 PM	#3
bigpapi34 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: meredith Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	whats on moose island.... like little row boats....? i found a row boat in about 4 feet of water. it was cool and old, we found out how it sank and every thing.

01-13-2007, 09:17 PM	#4
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,128 Thanks: 1,349 Thanked 564 Times in 291 Posts	Grant: Thanks for the pictures. They are actually quite good!