The one-time provincial town on the Lower-Rhine first blossomed around 1400. At the beginning of the sixteenth century, Diisseldorf became a capital, namely of the Duchies of Jiilich, Cleves and Berg. There is manifold evidence of the golden age when Duke Johann Wilhelm, the ever popular Jan Wellem, held court here (1679-1716). Art was collected and created, much was celebrated, built and squandered. Only the industrialisation of the nineteenth century brought about new prosperity after long periods of turbulence and frequent war. But of course, even ‘Prussian’ Diisseldorf had its Rhenish life-style and way of thought.
Travel to DUSSELDORF Photo Gallery
The position of the wreck puts it slap-bang in the main tidal flow of Seal Gut, right where the water is funnelled up and over the huge reef on the ebb tide. To the north of the wreck are some medium-sized boulders and a collection of old and broken lobster pots which appear still to be roped together. The best time to dive this site is just before low slack water and if the tide has started to run on the flood, it is best to moor the boat close in, behind the island, to avoid the strong tidal stream. On spring tides there can be some nasty overfalls making it quite uncomfortable and even dangerous for a small craft. The wreckage from the tug G. R. Gray is spread out on the sloping seabed in 16-18 metres on the southwest side of Knavestone, about 75 metres south from the main rock. The vessel’s bronze screw was salvaged from the wreck in the 1970s by a local diver and charter boat skipper. The little boiler, the remains of her engine and a few steel plates and frames can still be seen but these are gradually concreting into the stone- and rock-strewn seabed, although the site is a worthwhile second dive if only for a rummage around. The tidal current is fierce in both directions and there is no protection from it, making this a definite slack water dive.
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