Chisholm Main Hull Dive Site

The Henry Chisholm Hull Site

Depth Range 20' to 80'

The Chisholm Site is the center buoy on the Rock of Ages Shoal

The Henry Chisholm wreckage is scattered in a ravine on the southwest end of Rock of Ages shoal. There are three buoys marking shipwrecks on the shoal and the center buoy marks the Chisholm/Cumberland site. The mooring block for this buoy is usually located close to the center of the site in about 40' of water. Most of the wreckage of the Chisholm is in the shallower or southwest end of the site. It starts in about 20' of water and extends to roughly 60' of water. The bottom of the hull lies closest to the buoy with the bow being the shallower end. The port side of the ship lies to the port side of the hull bottom. The starboard side of the ship lies to the southwest in 20' to 25' of water separated from the rest of the hull. The stern of the ship broke off and lies over the edge of the shoal in deep water near the starboard side. It is best dived from the other buoy. (See the Chisholm Engine Site for more details). The giant rudder of the Chisholm lies on the shoal wall in 70' of water directly above the stern and engine. Although it can be done, it is a little difficult to navigate to the rudder from the starboard side.

A Photomosaic of the main portion of the Chisholm/Cumberland site

The ravine runs roughly from the southwest where it is shallowest toward the lighthouse as it deepens. Toward the deeper end of the ravine and past the after end of the Chisholm bottom lies Cumberland wreckage. Most divers visit both wrecks together although the site is so large it is impractical to see both extreme ends of the site on one dive. (See the Cumberland Site for more details).