Responding to unusual reports from several dive operators concerning missing and misplaced mooring balls on the Spiegel Grove, Sanctuary staff members made an amazing discovery. Hurricane Dennis had accomplished a feat that human technology could not. The 510 foot artificial reef was now upright.

Word spread quickly and excitement gathered in the dive community. After the initial call, I spent the next few days diving, exploring, and helping to assess the wreck. Complete information will not be available for several more days as additional surveys are conducted but I can give you a general overview of the Spiegel as it stands right now.

First of all, she is a completely different wreck. I was lucky enough to participate in the preplanning, initial sinking, preparation for the second sinking, and final assessment of the wreck when she first went down. As such, I became intimately familiar with the Spiegel from top to bottom and inside out. Even so, my first few dives on her were quite disorienting. Old familiar landmarks are no longer in their proper location and depths are all askew. Divers who have visited her before will find themselves at somewhat of a disadvantage as they try to find their way around.

Not only did Dennis roll her over, the hurricane did and excellent job with the operation. She is sitting almost perfectly flat on the bottom. Her decks look completely level to the untrained eye. During early assessment dives, we were only able to document a few feet difference between the depths of the port and starboard side.

Early guesses indicate that the wreck probably didn’t move at all but simply rolled over into the deep hole created by currents and scouring over the last three years. Therefore, she is still facing out to sea in roughly the same heading as before. And, most importantly, now that she’s upright and in somewhat of a hole, the wreck may actually be much more stable. With the Keys in the middle of hurricane season, that is encouraging news.

Besides the obvious change in orientation, the other major difference is the depth. Now that she is in her intended position; much less of the wreck lies in shallow waters. The shallowest point I could find anywhere on the wreck is sixty feet. That point lies atop one of the crane structures near the well deck. Next came the top of the bridge or pilot house averaging around sixty-five feet. This is a little larger area to explore but still lies a full ten feet deeper than what the majority of the wreck registered before the roll.

Her main deck forward of the bridge elicits a reading in the low to mid 90’s as do the walls that encircle the well deck in the after part of the vessel. The well deck itself, depending on tide and the exact spot registers around 115 feet.

With the Spiegel’s new upright orientation, everything on the ship now makes perfect sense. Random pieces of metal now become lifeboat booms. The lattice work of steel reaching into the blue suddenly has taken the form of two working cranes (awe inspiring to swim under by the way). That box is now a locker and the hieroglyphics on the wall have become legible writing. Passageways now lead somewhere such as the galley where the tables again look like a place to eat instead of art on the wall.

She is now a truly spectacular wreck but all is not perfect. As mentioned above, the overall profile of the wreck is quite a bit deeper. On her side, the vast majority of the wreck could be reached in as little as fifty to sixty feet. Now, except for a few high places, most of the wreck lies well below. Although she will now be easier to navigate, due to the increased depth, I believe extra caution must be exercised and the caliber of diver allowed on it, raised.

Her insides could also be a concern. Some seem to be clogged with debris. Although penetration should only be attempted by those with the proper equipment and training, her openness could possibly tempt untrained divers into a less than ideal situation.

Keep in mind, this is only preliminary information I have at this time gained from three days of inspection in poor visibility. The situation could change as the assessment phase continues for the next several days.

During this period, the wreck is temporarily closed to sport diving. Obviously vast numbers of divers are waiting to see the “new” wreck but I urge patience and restraint. Initial observations look promising, but before allowing divers on the wreck, Sanctuary officials want to make sure the Spiegel is stable and safe. In addition, they need time to prepare and reattach moorings back to the wreck. Call your local dive operator or Sanctuary office for additional information on a potential opening date.

So is it a better wreck? Possibly. Although my dives on the Spiegel were working dives, I still enjoyed my time immensely. She is majestic in her new form and breathtaking to see. On her side she may have been a little more assessable, but there is no doubt that upright, she is the proud queen of wreck diving in the Keys.

In a time of Florida shark “attacks” and killer hurricanes, this is indeed good news.

Best Fishes!