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The Brothers
Wrecks
 The
Aida
The
Numidia
The Aida
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This is an outstanding dive by any standards - with the diver
left wondering how any ship could come to rest and stay put
at such an angle. The Aida lies straight "up" the
reef with her bows at 25m and her stern at 60m. Apart from
substantial damage to the bows, this ship is virtually intact.
There is considerable soft and hard coral growth all over
the ship, the variety of which is quite outstanding on the
deeper
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parts - though nothing like the shallower reaches of the vessel where
greater sunlight penetration ensures a more prolific growth. Add to
this an amazing selection of fish life which includes everything from
large Grouper and Tuna - always found feeding at first light, and
the thousands of Copper sweepers that inhabit No 1 Hold and this is
a wreck that has something for everyone.
After the damaged bows, most of the main forward section is intact,
the missing wooden decking leaves a virtually intact steel framework
with easy access to all parts. The forward hold is empty and, once
inside, the diver is totally sheltered from the current - which
can be quite strong.
Incredibly, the forward mast is still largely intact and continues
to defy the inevitable laws of deterioration as it points up from
the wreck and away from the vertical reef. Below the mast are an
assortment of winches with a boom lying across the deck itself.
Amidships is the raised Centre Castle with what remains of a Bridge
structure. This is no more than a platform but there is still much
to see - especially amongst the accommodation block below. There
are many cabins to explore - some of which still have their brass
portholes in place.
The ship’s funnel is at 45m and now lies on its side - partly
rusted away. A massive steam whistle - very similar to the one found
on the Rosalie Moller, can be seen on its under side - with everything
now firmly concreted to the upper decks on which it lies. Immediately
below is the entrance to the engine Room - complete with a 3 cylinder
triple expansion steam engine.
The Aida was never salvaged so it is all still there - right down
to the single propeller at 60m.
The Numidia
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Like the Aida, she also defies all the known laws of gravity
and lies "up" the reef at an almost vertical angle.
At a depth of only 8m the diver will find the well broken
bows and a pair of railway locomotive wheels originally carried
as deck cargo. From here down, the ship quickly takes on its
original shape. The first thing that most divers comment on,
however, is the incredible array of colours, (which only begins
to fade in intensity from 50m downwards), that now adorn this
vessel. Hard and soft corals have so colonised this ship that
it must rank as one of the most beautiful shipwrecks in the
world. Apart from the damage encountered at the bows, all
metal structures are fully intact throughout the ship; railings,
masts, lifeboat davits, windlasses and deck winches are all
still in place. Her wooden timbers have long since rotted
away but her coral growth is more dense than the Aida as
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she has had a 56 year head start. Her interior is easily accessible,
plummeting down the slope to her ornate stern with its traditional
emergency steering wheel and gearing. Strong currents persist here
and it is possible to observe silky sharks hunting at the current
point. The maximum depth at the stern is 83m, the bows rest at 8m.
In amongst the varied colours - from the lightest greens to the
deepest reds, is a fish life that has made this shipwreck "home."
The groupers are probably the most outstanding inhabitants - but
all divers have their own favourites and each is found right here.
As for the ship itself, she is able to provide every type of dive
for every type of diver. Even those who dislike wrecks will like
this one.
The decking has, of course, gone and the cargo salvaged. This,
however, provides an incredible opportunity to investigate a large
ship at whatever depth suits the personal requirement. Forward of
the central bridge are two cavernous cargo holds with ventilation
hatches along the starboard side. The decks are now a square pattern
of steel in between which is the lower half of the forward mast
Immediately behind No 2 Hold is the raised central "castle"
with its accommodation and what remains of the Bridge. Having been
constructed of wood on a steel floor, all but the basic outer framework
has rotted away. We are now at a depth of 50m and the remainder
of the ship lies in very deep water.
Immediately behind the bridge is the ship’s funnel which
has fallen over to one side. Here several lifeboat davits are swung
out. The Engine Room is immediately below. Further aft are Nos 3
and 4 Holds. Once again, the diver will find the lower half of an
equally stout rear mast - also defying gravity, along with all the
attendant deck winches.
The stern is raised and provides a beautifully rounded poop deck
below which the single large propeller is found at a depth of some
80m.
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