Miss Lindsey 2001 Merida I

The Merida is a passenger liner (Ward Line) sunk in 1911 in a collision with the SS Admiral Farragut, approximately 80 miles west / northwest of Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 210 feet of water. The wreck has been subjected to a couple of salvage expeditions, looking for the cargo of silver bars she was supposedly carrying. It is turtled (upside down), with some large holes blown into the hull by the salvors to allow access. It is seldom visited, and I was told that the last time anyone was there was over five years ago.

The following pictures (all images from video) are from the voyage of the Miss Lindsey out of Virginia Beach, Virginia, to the Merida on Sunday, June 24, 2001.

Richie Kohler and Dan Bartone set up their gear after we leave Rudee Inlet around 11 pm Saturday night. The lights of Virginia Beach can be seen in the background.
	As usual, Capt. JT Barker is up to no good. ;-) Here he can't resist showing off his muscles to the camera!
In fact, he shows off all his muscles! ;-)
	After we get to the wreck early the next morning, Capt. Charlie hooks it. Here Mike Scammon is about to go tie the hook in.
When I hit the wreck I pass a protruding structure to the left. It turns out to be part of the rudder post (missing the rudder). JT and Becky shine their lights at me.
	Becky Spalding and Capt. JT explore the Merida. This is Becky's first dive below 200 feet.
Debris on the Merida.
	Unfortunately, this porthole backing plate is steel! Also, the entire superstructure of the Merida was wooden, with square windows.
Coming up over a crease in the hull.
	Looking back at the rudder post structure.
This is actually what we are tied into, a piece of the large rudder laying in the sand.
	This is the prop coupling.