Wreck Diving in Black and White

There is something iconic about a photo in black and white. So much so I find it hard to imagine these images, these things we see, ever existed in color. When I was a kid I remember watching WWII movies that were all in black and white. It wasn’t until “Saving Private Ryan” that I ever imagined the war was fought in color. They say we dream in black and white; when it comes to wrecks what they say is true.

The same fascination watching those old movies about the war is the same fascination and passion that courses through my veins today. It has consumed hours of my imagination and leads me to places most have never heard of, or care to remember. Stories and places that gave America its greatest generation, events that defined a generation and millions of lives, stories that my grandfather would never share with anyone but the men who shared them with him. The beaches of Pelileu, the waters off of Hawaii, Guam, PNG, the Solomon’s, and Truk lagoon are just a few of the places this unending obsession has taken me to in the past 5 years. The list continues to grow and my desire to see them never subsides.

Although non-purpose sunk wrecks are what I seek, I find great photo opportunities and pleasure diving the purpose sunk artificial wrecks as well. Especially historically significant wrecks like the Kittiwake in Grand Cayman, the Keith Tibbett’s off the coast of Cayman Brac, The Oriskiny in the gulf and that list goes on as well. My favorite of these of course, sitting in only 60 feet of water allowing ambient light to fill her rooms and halls is the Kittiwake. I have had the pleasure of diving her since she was sunk, watching her transform, exploring all she has to offer and on every trip to Cayman it is her I cannot wait to see.

As historic as the Kittiwake’s tale has been and as much happiness as exploring her gives me, nothing compares to swimming through the wrecks of Truk Lagoon. The human element of war certainly cannot be ignored here. The pots and pans still rest on a stove. A sailors remains in a boiler room, where he stood performing his duties until the last, at some point realizing his young life would end right here. As a former soldier who has experienced war myself I imagine his family were among his last thoughts.

A bullet-riddled airframe lying in a shallow lagoon tells a story of a young pilot racing to get airborne during the battle of Pelelui. My grandfather fought here and it gives me a grounded sense of the sacrifice born in this place. Young boys became men and men’s lives ended here. It is what makes these wrecks so incredible and it is what keeps me coming back.

In Hawaii, off the coast of Oahu, lies an F4 Corsair that tells yet another story. According to the pilot, who still lives on the island, he was on a training mission in 1947 and losing sight of the island and with fuel running out, had to make a decision to ditch his aircraft. Luckily, when the weather lifted he found himself able to swim to the nearby coastline, his aircraft coming to rest in one piece at 107 feet of water where it still lies to day. Sitting in one piece it is a testament to the pilots training and skill set as the aircrafts engine and prop are designed to break apart and fold under the fuselage to prevent the pilot from being killed. This was a design feature incorporated not only on American aircrafts, but most aircrafts from around the world. This is why most aircrafts found under water have the engine and propellers separated from the main airframe, or wings of the aircraft.

To me there is only one way to capture such iconic and historic wrecks and that is black and white. I have collected a few to share with you; I hope that you enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoyed the journey to bring them to you. Wherever your dreams take you I hope to see you there.

To see more work by Greg Piper visit gregpiperart.com