USS
Indra
At a length of 338 feet and a width of sixty feet, its size
makes the Indra an easy dive. The bottom is sand at 70 feet
and the wreck goes up to within 35 feet of the surface. It is
close to shore, about twelve miles from Beaufort inlet. The
visibility averages 30 feet, but can get up to 50-60 feet. Its
proximity to shore makes this a dive that is easy to get to
if the weather will not permit diving offshore. It's depth and
proximity to shore makes this a popular wreck for training and
as a second dive on the way back in from a deeper one.
Sunk
in 1992 as part of the North Carolina artificial reef program,
the USS Indra is probably the most dived on wreck in this area.
The Indra started life as an LST, (Landing Ship Tank) a ship
that repaired landing craft. There were two of these craft built,
one for use in the Pacific and one for use in the Atlantic.
The USS Indra served in World War II as a repair ship and in
Vietnam performing upkeep on the river patrol craft. After Vietnam
it was assigned to the Army Reserve Fleet at Morehead City,
NC.
There
is some wreckage surrounding the wreck providing even more shelter
for marine life. Before sinking the ship, large holes were cut
into the sides to allow for access. It is very easy to penetrate
this wreck. The insides are open and many of the bulkheads are
cut away. The easy penetration of this wreck makes it very useful
for wreck diving classes and for divers trained in wreck diving
it is easy to enter. There is a large circular mount on the
bow of the ship where a deck gun was at one time placed. On
the stern is a large open cargo hold. Off the fantail the propeller
guards are still in place under which oyster toads or oyster
crackers can usually be found.
The
wreck of the Indra is home to a variety of marine life from
sharks to sea urchins. During the later summer months it is
not uncommon to see tropical fish such as yellow tang or damselfish
on this wreck. Octopi have been seen hiding under the wreckage
around the ship and on the ship itself. Eels have been spotted
in the many smaller holes in the sides of the ship. In the summer
of 2001, a large bull shark was infrequently seen near the bow
of the Indra and a large Green Sea Turtle was frequently seen
near the stern. The occasional stingray can be seen off to the
sides of the ship or swimming along the upper decks. Sea bass
hide near the structure of the craft year round and if a diver
looks into the superstructure the diver is likely to find a
school of spadefish.
