A Detective Story in the Devil’s Triangle
Mysteries of a World War II Helldiver airplane wreck and a burned sunken boat are explored in the new reality TV show “Ocean Warriors” on YouTube
Jupiter, Florida, USA, July 5, 2012--In this year 2012, a major Pacific Ocean expedition is searching for famed lost aviator Amelia Earhart and a detective story with a similar theme has emerged with recently discovered underwater wrecks off the coast of Jupiter, Florida. This location is in the “Bermuda Triangle” which is also known as the “Devil’s Triangle” and is a very mysterious place with many disappearances of planes and boats.
In December 2011, Emerald Dive Charters boat owner and spear fisherman Randy Jordan discovered a World War II airplane wreck off Jupiter, Florida. This U.S. Navy “Helldiver” torpedo bomber rests 185 feet deep and its origin remains a mystery. A nearby second wreck of a destroyed boat that appears to have burned to the waterline before sinking was found by Randy and also remains unidentified.
“The US Navy is working hard on identifying the Helldiver airplane” according to Lauren Grogan, host of the online segments of the TV show “Ocean Warriors.” She explains “their dive teams have studied the site extensively and recovered a data plate. I wish the Navy great success in their investigation which may solve the Helldiver aspect of these mysteries very soon.”
“For the last 40 years, I’ve been hunting for wrecks on the sea floor,” says Jim Whitaker, a side-scan sonar expert. “The Jupiter Helldiver site is a big detective story - who knows what other wreck treasures lie offshore here in the Devil’s Triangle waiting to be found?” says Whitaker.
The Online TV Segment “Devil's Triangle Mysteries Part 1”
The YouTube high definition TV show segment is located at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/user/OceanWarriorsTV/videos
About the new reality adventure TV show “Ocean Warriors”
“Ocean Warriors” is like “Swamp People” or “Deadliest Catch” on steroids. This reality adventure series follows the ocean exploits of a tribe of funny, feisty and fanatical divers based in Florida. There is non‐stop action, adventure and exploration.
Ocean Warriors understand the importance of conservation of the ocean environment along with the need to preserve the role of the hunt in sustainable ocean resource protection. They help shark researchers, goliath grouper scientists, and others to preserve and protect the ocean environment. They harvest fish for food with responsible hunting ethics all the while putting themselves in harm’s way by sharks and other diving dangers. They help with the ominous lionfish invasion by culling these predators that have upset the natural balance on the reefs. They compete in exciting tournaments. And, their explorations sometimes result in the discovery of fascinating mysteries like those in the first online segment about the Devil's Triangle mystery wrecks.
The inspiration for this show started several years ago. The Helldiver airplane wreck discovery was a major catalyst to move forward and launch the show on YouTube with online segments. A cable or broadcast TV launch of the main show is planned for later this year.
To learn more about the TV show "Ocean Warriors" and the “Devil's Triangle Mysteries,” go to the Florida East Coast section of Spearboard.com which is the world's largest spearfishing diving Internet discussion forum website. Joining the discussion is free and easy. Just click on the registration link. Opinions and input about the first online segment "Devil's Triangle Mysteries" are most welcome whether or not the viewer dives or fishes. The Spearboard.com discussion forum thread is located at the following link:
http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=147219
More about the mystery wrecks
Over 7,000 Helldivers were built between 1943 and 1945 and flown mainly by the US Navy in Pacific operations. The separation of the wreck’s engine and prop from the rest of the plane could have happened over decades of decay or perhaps at the moment of impact. The plane’s 36 foot long fuselage and 50 foot wide wings are upside down on the ocean floor. The measurements and shape show the model of Helldiver is the SB2C.
During World War II, quite a few training flights from airfields in Florida resulted in crashes and missing aircraft. Many decades later, tropical fish and lionfish make the plane their home. One significant question is “Was this plane ditched by a pilot in a crash or dumped off an aircraft carrier or barge? Wreck finder sonar expert Jim Whitaker says, “I believe the Helldiver is a crash site and not a dump site.” The close proximity to shore and apparent lack of other nearby dumped items leads Jim to his crash theory.
Modern day Helldiver pilot Mark Allen has examined the diving footage and points out that the bends of the propeller blades indicate the plane was not under power when it crashed in the water or crashed on land if the dumped theory proves to be the truth. Mark says that had the plane been under power, the blades would be bent forward instead of backward as is the case here. Engine failure caused by lack of fuel or a mechanical problem could have lead to the loss of power before the crash.
The mystery boat is made of fiberglass and appears to have burned to the waterline before sinking. A tape measurement reveals the length from bow to stern is 36 feet. And, the beam measurement across the stern is 11 feet wide. There are two engines that powered the boat. A torpedo-shaped tube with compartments lies off the stern. Perhaps, this strange device was used to smuggle drugs by being towed underwater and designed to be easily cut off should the Coast Guard or other law enforcement come on scene. Determining the make and model of the mystery boat and searching Coast Guard lost boat records may provide further clues.
The mystery boat and Helldiver airplane lie near each other in their Devil’s Triangle graves at a bottom depth of 185 feet which is well beyond the recreational scuba diving limit of 130 feet. Greater depth means faster breathing gas consumption and the need for decompression mixtures to avoid the malady known as the bends. Special equipment and technical dive training are important to do this dive safely.
In upcoming segments of Ocean Warriors, further exploration of the Devil’s Triangle Mysteries will be presented including a plane ride in the only Helldiver still flying today. Subscribe to the YouTube channel or the Spearboard.com thread to be notified of future segments of the show.
Television footage and high resolution photo images are available
All media outlets can be provided with high resolution photo images from high definition footage frame stills are also available. Television media outlets can be provided with excellent high definition footage for the development of their own news segments. This footage is very difficult to obtain because of technical diving depths and frequent harsh conditions with high current and low visibility.
Tony Grogan, Enterprise Entertainment, Telephone: 561-371-1256, E-mail: enter@bellsouth.net
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