The Koeln is in good condition, and makes for an excellent dive.
The boat is in 35 metres of water and lies on its starboard side with
a very slight list. Because of the orientation of the wreck, the Koeln
is quite light when the sun is out and it is easy to make out many
of the structures on her. There are many ways of diving the Koeln.
You can descend straight to the sea bed at 35 metres and then work
your way up the vertical deck. Or else land midships on the port rail
and either go to the bows or stern making sure to buoyant on mid deck
level (about 25 - 30 meters). Or stand from one end and go straight
to the other. The Koeln is large enough and interesting enough to make
a few dives necessary before you get the picture.
The highest point is 20 metres which is the midpoint port rail. It
makes a convenient place to start a dive from particularly if the shot
is near here (which it often is). Although it is possible to stay around
this depth and inspect a port side midmast 6 inch gun whose barrel
points upwards, you need to go deeper to see the best of the wreck.
You could continue to the stern and pass over a salvage hole towards
the sternmost pair of 6 inch guns. They are both in good condition.
By swimming over the stern you can then land on the long rudder (there
is no propellor!). An impressive sight.
Or else move along towards the bows and pass the lifeboat davits that
dangle over the side of the boat. You can look over and see the deck
of the boat plunging down to the dark seabed some 15 metres below.
As you approach the bows the depth increases down to around 28 metres.
Near the sleek almost knife edge bows are two capstans with the remainder
of the anchor chains. Behind the capstans working back toward the mainmast
are the platforms of two 6 inch guns which have now disappeared. The
mainmast still has a basically intact structure.
When diving this wreck it is easy to imagine being on a fast and lean
cruiser. Her remaining guns are well preserved and even unpromising
items like lifeboat davits and the holes left by her absent funnels
are all memorable and add to the unique atmosphere that this wreck
creates.
Read Divernet's
dive description of the Koeln |
