The
countdown has begun! Is the ship ready? Are you ready? Prepare
yourself for the most explosively exciting diving event to ever occur
along the California coastline. This may not be war, but a 366-foot
long Canadian destroyer is going to bite the dust and hit bottom 100
feet down off the coast of San Diego. Here comes the sinking of the
Yukon!
PREPARATIONS: YOU
The wreck of the Yukon will become one of the most exciting dive sites in all of North America. At 366 feet long and 40 feet high, you can imagine there will be a lot to explore on this artificial reef. 122 passageways are being prepared to allow access to dozens of rooms. It is estimated by many that it will take an individual over 100 dives to explore this ship.
This labyrinth of passageways will make for ideal habitat for fish and safe diver training. When deep within the ship, no diver will ever be but a few feet from an exit. Even so, wreck penetration diving requires special training. What better excuse do you need than to get into the Yukon.
If you have not already done so, sign up now for either a wreck diving or advanced diver class now. Perhaps your graduation dive will be on the Yukon itself! Training dives will likely be on the Ruby E, located not far from where the Yukon is to be put down. Although a much smaller wreck, it has been down for over a decade and offers some good penetration opportunities.
Take the time to visit the ship before she is sunk. Get a feel for the "lay-of-the-land." There are, after all, six decks. You'll also begin to appreciate the amount of effort that has gone into preparation of the ship.
PREPARATIONS: THE SHIP
In addition to the multitude of diver passageways, both vertical and horizontal, that were cut in the ship, all wiring and other entanglements needed to be removed. The ship also is being scrubbed environmentally clean with removal of any hazardous chemicals and compounds. The volunteers are to be commended for countless hours of dirty, backbreaking work. But it's not over. Work will continue up to within days of the sinking. Want to get involved? Want to be part of this important project? The work is dirty, but rewarding.
With all the preparation work, you'd think this will be a "stripped-down" ship" &emdash;not so. Front and rear gun turrets will be left in place, complete with guns. Mast, stack and bridge will also be left intact.
SHIP'S HISTORY
The Yukon was commissioned in 1963, the height of the cold war. And she is indeed a cold war relic. Her decks are constructed in such a way that radioactive fall-out could be easily washed away. In the event of nuclear war, the ship could be entirely sealed, holding the crew safely inside with air filters and an auxiliary bridge below decks, enabling the ship to be operated just by instruments.
After sea trials, the ship's first port of call was, oddly enough, San Diego. She went on to visit 30 different ports and cover nearly 800,000 miles. Other notable activities of the Yukon include escorting Queen Elizabeth, and numerous training missions with U.S. Navy, one in which she nearly collided with the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk.
With the cold war ending, the Yukon was moth-balled in 1993. Last year the Yukon was purchased and towed to San Diego at a cost of $245,000. Footing the bill is the non-profit San Diego Oceans Foundation. The Foundation has been relying heavily on fund raisers and individual contributions. More money is still needed.
GETTING YOUR NAME ON THE SHIP
Hundreds of individuals and companies have already stepped forward to make donations to the project. On the ship will be an "Honor Wall" recognizing those contributors. Time is short, but you may still be able to get your name on these plaques. A contribution of $100 will get your name on a group plaque. $1,000 will get you a plaque of your own. And with a $5,000 contribution, a room of your own will be set aside.
WET FUND RAISING: BE THE FIRST TO DIVE
Several of the San Diego area dive charter operations are involved in a "First-To-Dive" program. Divers on those boats will be given the first chance (after safety inspection divers) to explore the wreck underwater. All of the cost of their trips on these dive boats help with the project funding.
SUMMARY
The conversion of the Yukon from a warship to an artificial reef will soon be a reality. With previous sinking postponements many were beginning to ask if the project was to ever be completed. But the tenacity of many within the project kept it going. Government red-tape was a barrier, now all but cleared. Money is still a problem &emdash; a problem that you can help to solve. After all, you will be getting the most enjoyment out of diving the wreck. You should contribute financially.
The only other barrier to the Yukon hitting the ocean floor on July 15 is the weather and seas. With calm waters, the greatest wreck dive in California will become a reality.
For full information on the Yukon Project, visit their website at www.hcms-yukon.org or call (619) 523-1903.
