Argonaut - Eastbourne - Sat 19th July

[dave archer]

Originally Posted by tom

For a high water dive I'd plan for 40 to the seabed. The decks are several meters proud.

I hit just over 35m on it, but that was staying on top of the wreck.

I'd second that, I got 38m by dropping down the rudder to the prop shaft and was still a couple shy of the bottom of the scour...

Dave

[Mike (Sussex)]

19-Jul-08-Sat 10:30 HW Argonaut 34m = FULL

Other Days for Argonaut
02-Aug-08-Sat 10:30 HW Argonaut 34m = 1 Space
03-Aug-08-Sun Meet 11:30HW Argonaut 34m = 8 Spaces
25-Aug-08-Mon Meet 06:00 HW Argonaut / Lullington = 6 Spaces
14-Sep-08-Sun Meet 09:00 HW Argonaut 34m = 10 Spaces

[weazelz]

due to various complicated reasons, I have given my place on this trip to copperband. hope you all have a good trip - I expect a write-up

[hebails]

Originally Posted by weazelz

due to various complicated reasons, I have given my place on this trip to copperband. hope you all have a good trip - I expect a write-up

What he said but my space is going free if anyone wants it.
Cheers
Paul

[weazelz]

Originally Posted by hebails

What he said but my space is going free if anyone wants it.

actually it's not, the boat is full - Mike didn't have your name on the list when I asked him last week

[hebails]

Originally Posted by weazelz

actually it's not, the boat is full - Mike didn't have your name on the list when I asked him last week

that saves me the hassle then.

[copperband]

Originally Posted by weazelz

due to various complicated reasons, I have given my place on this trip to copperband. hope you all have a good trip - I expect a write-up

Thanks Andy.

[Letz]

Not long now and I have never managed to find any good info on this wreck
I have Dive Dorset, South Devon and Cornwall but don't have Dive Sussex so I don't know if there is anything in there

I found this

"Can you help me find out about the steam yacht Argonaut, lying in Rye Bay, Sussex? I am looking for her plans and would like to know which shipyard built her?

The Argonaut had the dubious distinction of being the first package tour to sink Yes, I can help you. You'll find the full story in my book Great British Wrecks, Volume Two (Underwater World Publications; 1986; ISBN 0 946020 08 6) which, as it is out of print, you'll have to beg, borrow or steal, though your local library might be able to help you.
You clearly plan some serious diving on the Argonaut, so I suggest you first contact divers John Nightingale, Ian O'Riley and Malcolm Ilott, its owners.
The luxury steam yacht Argonaut was the first package-tour holiday ship run by Dr Henry Lunn of Lunn's Tours and later Lunn Poly fame. ÒLunn's SteamerÓ, as she became known, made her first cruise for Lunn in 1898 and sank in Rye Bay, Sussex, after many similar cruises, following a collision in thick fog with the 2355-ton steamer Kingswell in the early morning of 29 September, 1908.
All aboard were saved. She is at 50 48.55N; 00 50.53E.
The Argonaut was built by R and H Green Ltd at Blackwall on the Thames for Money Wigram & Co Ltd, which called her Norfolk. She was launched in 1879 and six years later sold and renamed La Plata.
In 1893 she became the Orienta. In 1895 she was the Norse King. And in 1898 she finally settled on being called the Argonaut!"

Here Divernet | Wrecks Q&A | Q & A Wrecks March 2000...

If anyone has that book... Great British Wrecks, Volume Two (Underwater World Publications; 1986; ISBN 0 946020 08 6) ... any chance you can scan the pages and share ? Pretty please

and there is this brief

Argonaut SY (+1908) WRECK

If anyone can find more, in particular info and diagrams that will enhance the dive that would be great

[jimbob]

Haven't found any plans, but came up with the following;
250 SAVED AS YACHT SINKS.; The Argonaut Hit by Steamer Kingswell in Br... - Article Preview - The New York Times

R. Jorgensen Antiques › English Steam Ship Painting

Steam Boat Association (GB) - Bulletin Board

I like the NY times article report that all the passengers made it to the Kingswell, must have thought they were saved then had to abandon that as well. Sunk twice the same day. And did they really end up in New York? Or have I read that wrong.

[Letz]

Originally Posted by jimbob

Haven't found any plans, but came up with the following;
250 SAVED AS YACHT SINKS.; The Argonaut Hit by Steamer Kingswell in Br... - Article Preview - The New York Times

R. Jorgensen Antiques › English Steam Ship Painting

Steam Boat Association (GB) - Bulletin Board

I like the NY times article report that all the passengers made it to the Kingswell, must have thought they were saved then had to abandon that as well. Sunk twice the same day. And did they really end up in New York? Or have I read that wrong.

Nice

Now if someone could provide some info on diving the wreck ...........