Page 424 - The Dutch Caribbean Isles

irplane Wrecks - Aruba features the Each of these sites offers new wreck divers was launched in 1939 in Hamburg, when
a safe and easily penetrable wreck. Another it left for its first trip to the Caribbean. In
A remains of two airplanes. As you can 1940, the ship was scuttled during World
imagine, this is one wreck site that intrigues airplane, a Lockheed Lodestar, is located War II when the Germans invaded Holland.
The captain of the ship set it on fire in an
divers of all levels from around the world. just north of the Antilla wreck in thirty-five effort to never have to surrender it to the
enemy. It sank into the depths and is known
The two planes are referred to as the S-11 feet of water. This plane, along with a thriv- today as the Ghost Ship of Aruba. It’s con-
sidered to be one of the best wreck dives
and DC-3, and they were intentionally sunk ing reef of coral with plenty of angelfish, is in all of the Dutch Caribbean. The ship is
about 122 meters, or 400 feet, in length, so
in order to create an artificial reef. In 1999, ideally suited for beginning scuba divers. there’s plenty to explore here. And the site
is perfect for all levels of divers, thanks to
Hurricane Lenny dragged DC-3 and it’s now A ntilla Wreck (60’) - Referred to lo- the very gentle currents surrounding it. Slip
found in two large pieces that divers can cally as the ghost ship, the Antilla is a through the large windows to get a look
still explore. The S-11 is newer because it inside the wreck.

sank in 2004. The plane is still intact, except German freighter that was scuttled by the A rashi Airplane - (35-40’) A fascinating
reef for beginners. A sunken Lockheed
for the nose, so you can easily get inside Germans in 1945. The Antilla is the largest Lodestar sits at 35 feet of water. Coral for-
mations and parrotfish and angelfish sur-
it to explore what marine life, if any, have wreck in the Caribbean (400’ long) and was round the airplane wreck and coral heads.

now made it home. Just west of Oranjestad sunk when it was brand new. The wreck is

rests a couple of intentionally submerged excellent for penetrations because of its

airplane husks, including a DC-3and an large compartments. Covered by giant tube

S-11. The main portion of the DC-3 rests sponges and coral formations, the Antilla

in about eighty feet of water, while some is surrounded by spiny lobsters and many

of its remnants sit on a reef of soft corals kinds of tropical fish (mainly angelfish and

and colorful sponges at a depth of forty- yellowtail snapper). It is a great place for

five feet. This massive plane was torn apart night diving. The SS Antilla was a cargo

by Hurricane Lenny in 1999. The S-ll rest ship that had been built for trade purposes

nearby and is only missing its nose cone. between Germany and the Caribbean. It