Lawrence Works was 20 when he died in a training collision off Anacapa Island in 1945. His 61 letters home show what it was like to be a young Navy aircrewman getting ready for war.
Swell Ships and Flying Coffins: The Letters of Lawrence Works
Category: SoCal Dive
B-36 Peacemaker Photogrammetry Models
Intro/Background I'm currently finishing up the chapter in the book on the B-36 wreck off Mission Beach. It is quite a story and has taken more time than most of the other chapters to get it just right. It took a lot of additional research, reading and re-reading accident reports and newspaper articles to get [...]
PBM Mariner Wreck: Side-by-Side Photogrammetry Model Comparisons
The author revisits the PBM Mariner wreck off Point Loma to improve a previous photogrammetry model, dealing with minor equipment issues and poor surface conditions during the dive. The new model features enhanced color and detail, providing a more accurate visual document of the historically significant wreck for an upcoming book.
Revisiting the TBM Avenger: A Deep-Wreck Photogrammetry Project
Photogrammetry model of a deep TBM Avenger that crashed in 1952. Bureau Number is 53439.
Exploring the F-4 Phantom Wreck in San Diego
Photogrammetry model of the F-4 Phantom wreck off Torrey Pines at 150 fsw, built from about 600 photos on a day with good visibility. Includes dive video, a blueprint overlay and a live 3D model.
Photogrammetry in Wreck Diving: Insights from the F4D Skyray
A return dive to the F4D Skyray wreck at just over 200 feet to build a better photogrammetry model. Poor visibility left gaps in the result, and the post compares the new model with the original from 2021.
Georgia (Redondo Beach, California — 135 fsw)
There has been plenty published about the Georgia fishing boat (which was originally mis-identified as the Retriever). For background, I would recommend reading the California Wreck Divers web page on the Georgia / Retriever. I had gone with Ray & Kyaa at Sundiver back up to the F4D Skyray in Santa Monica Bay to work [...]
Coronado Islands: The Mystery of the Sunken Wreck
Intro Tyler and I had been planning a trip to the Coronado Island with Lora at Marissa Charters for a very long time. It was deferred at least 2-3 times due to weather, unplanned trips, etc. We finally got down there in early February 2026. Tyler had a friend who had seen an airplane wreck [...]
Diving the Solana Beach P-38 Wreck: Enhanced 3D Modeling Techniques
In 2022, a P-38 wreck was discovered off Solana Beach, leading to initial photogrammetry modeling. As skills improved, a recent dive on January 22 aimed to enhance the quality of the model for the book "Aviation Wrecks of Southern California." Despite complications, a clearer, more accurate representation was successfully created.
Diving Adventures: Discovering New Wrecks and Cranes
I joined divers Steve Lawson and Chris Gilmartin for a memorable dive before storms hit Southern California. We discovered a new shipwreck, identified as a recent fishing vessel, and an intriguing underwater tower. Both dives yielded valuable insights and captured images for further exploration and future dives once conditions improve.
