Tarantula
Built: 1912 Sunk: October 28 1918
Depth: 110fsw Tonnage: ?
Dimensions: 128' x 19'
The Tarantula, was built in 1912 for the wealthy Vanderbilt family, by George Lawley and Son Corp. She was 128 Ft. Long and 19Ft. Wide. She displaced 159 Tons. She sank on October 28th 1918 in a collision with the SS Frisia. At the time of her sinking, the Tarantula was in use by the US. Navy, that is why she has so much armament on her.

Today, the Tarantula is still in service, but as a marine time capsule, as opposed to a ship of war. She lies 44 miles East of Great Kills harbor, in 110 Ft. of usually clear, water. She is low lying, on a bright, white, sand bottom. The largest part of the wreck, is the boiler area, which rises about 8 Ft. off the bottom. The rest of the wreck consists of wooden and steel debris. If you have the boiler on your left and swim forward, you are heading towards the bow. You will find a small, but recognizable bow section lying in the sand . I have not found any wreckage past there.

If you head towards the stern you will find more machinery and scattered wood. The visibility here is usually very good. I have often seen over forty feet of vis. This wreck always has a bounty of marine life. Scallops, sea bass, cod fish, and lobsters abound. I once caught 34 keeper lobsters here, on a single dive. Besides the grocery shopping, you can find beautiful brass artifacts, as well as china. For the goodies, you gotta work a little. Most of the artifacts seem to be found in either the boiler, or stern areas. You need to spend time digging in the sand to find stuff. The judicious use of a dredge, could be beneficial here. Since the ship was built for the Vanderbilt’s, there are many expensive accouterments, including fine china, and silverware. It was also in service to the Navy, so there are lots of large brass shells and a deck gun.

The Tarantula has been dove for many years. One of the most notable features, is the deck gun. Because of the deck gun, the wreck came to be known as the gun boat. In 1985, long time diver and boat Captain, Billy “Bubbles” DeMarigny, found the ships bell with the name “tarantula” inscribed on it. That is a great, but not guaranteed, way. to identify a ship wreck. Many of the wrecks we dive, are unidentified. You could be the one, to find the clue to her identity. Just one of the many rewards that await you, when diving Wreck Valley.