USS Aaron Ward

The U.S.S. Aaron Ward lies off Florida Island after having been sunk in a Japanese air attack in 43'. The gunners were 1500 - 2000 yards away when the opened fire and only the first bombs met their mark. Lives were lost and the ship couldn't be salvaged, it now lies upright at 200 - 240 ft. The current is good as is the viz, The ship is narrow a 5 inch gun turret points at the port with 40mm anti aircraft guns facing upward. There are prolific schools of fish. The stern bends at 90degrees from bottom impact. There's ammo strewn around and stored on the shelves as well as the torpedo launch unit fully loaded (400 lbs. TNT ) One can visibly see the impacts from the bombs all over the ship. Deco time is a while with the dive at 30m. Tulagi Island forms part two of this dive with its Japanese flying boat base where 6 Kawanishi flying boats sank in the bay. They are 4 engine, long range reconnaissance planes used to keep an eye on the American navy. The wreck dived here lies in 140 feet of water and the vis is not that great. There's still some fuselage and parts of the wings There are visible bullet holes and a deserted cockpit.