Shipwreck Diving on Gunboat C-55, Isla Mujeres
Updated: Aug 11
USS Ransom (AM-283), named ARM Teniente Juan de la Barrera (C-55), is a shipwreck sunk off the coast of Cancun and Isla Mujeres for the sole purpose of diving. Located in the strong currents between the two land masses, she is a wreck suited for advanced divers all year round, but annually, between December and March, she is where Spotted Eagle Rays return.
This wreck is just a 25-minute boat ride from Isla Mujeres. Gunboat C-55 and Gunboat C-58 were laid to rest on the sea floor, quite close to each other.
These two wrecks were sunk by the Mexican government, creating artificial reefs to be used for diving, and have proven to be a top destination for divers visiting the area.
The year-round currents caused by the proximity of the Cancun and Isla Mujeres land masses are powerful, so these dives are neither for beginners nor divers that have not dived in a while. The depth of this wreck is around 22 meters /75 feet, but the strong currents add an extra need for caution. The topography surrounding Gunboat C-55 is beautiful white sand and, just like Gunboat C-58, an area completely devoid of interest for the underwater visitor, has been transformed into a fantastic dive site with much biodiversity.
The History of the Wreck
C-55 Juan de la Barrera, sunk on 27 October 2000
Unlike Gunboat C-58, which was so challenging to locate the history, Gunboat C-55 has so much information. She led an exciting life.
USS Ransom (AM 283) was an Admiral-class minesweeper built for the United States Navy during World War II. She was awarded three battle stars for service in the Pacific during World War II.
United States Military Career
24 April 1943; Built by General Engineering and Dry Dock Company as an Admiral-class minesweeper.
18 September 1943; Launched as USS Ransom (AM-283), sponsored by Mrs. Dwight H. Dexter
5 August 1944; Commissioned in U.S. Navy (USN) with Lt. Comdr. William N. McMillen in command and conducted a shake-down cruise off California.
15 October 1944; She proceeded to Hawaii, arriving at Pearl Harbour a week later. She did escort duty back to the west coast and later to Eniwetok, Ulithi, and Kossol Roads, arriving at the latter on 12 January 1945. She then worked in the antisubmarine patrol screen off Peleliu.
1-18 February 1945; Ransom acted as a harbour entrance station vessel at Kossol and patrolled in screens between Kossol and Peleliu before proceeding to Ulithi to stage for Operation Iceberg.
19 March 1945; She sailed for the Ryukyus with task unit TU 52.5.3
25 March to 18 April 1945; She swept and patrolled in assigned areas around Okinawa despite heavy Japanese coastal and aerial resistance
On 6 April 1945, Ransom shot down three suicide aircraft while rescuing 52 survivors of the USS Rodman (DMS-21) and the USS Emmons (DMS-22). The third kamikaze bomb caused some minor damage to Ransom.
18 April 1945; Relieved of sweeping duties, Ransom was assigned to antiaircraft and antisubmarine patrol. Although damaged on the 22nd by a bomb from a "Val", she had splashed 10 feet off her port quarter; Ransom continued to patrol through June.
On 4 July 1945, Ransom resumed minesweeping operations. Throughout the month, she operated in the East China Sea, sweeping seven mines.
6 August 1945, she retired to Leyte for overhaul and repair. Returning to Okinawa at the end of the month, she continued to Japan with task group TG 52.4
9 September 1945, began sweeping mines at Nagasaki.
2 September 1945, she shifted to Bungo Suido, where she swept until the end of September. During the month, Ransom swept 73 enemy mines. Ransom departed Kure, Japan, for the United States on 20 November.
30 December 1945, Transiting the Panama Canal, she continued onto New Orleans, Louisiana; underwent pre-inactivation overhaul; and decommissioned at Orange, Texas, 3 March 1947
In March 1951, Ransom was recommissioned during the Korean War and remained in commission until September 1953, when she was again placed in reserve.
February 1955, Ransom was reclassified as MSG-283 while she remained in reserve but was never reactivated.
1 May 1962, Struck from the naval register
1962, She was sold to the Mexican Navy.
Mexican Navy career
1962; The Mexican Navy acquired the former Ransom and renamed ARM DM-12.
1994; she was renamed ARM Teniente Juan de la Barrera (C-55) after Juan de la Barrera.
She was stricken in 2000, but her fate was to become a dive site on Isla Mujeres.
27 October 2000, Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo sank her to become an artificial reef for diving.
Present Day
The wreck lies at a depth of 22 meters/ 75 feet.
On 21-22 October 2005, Hurricane Wilma impacted the area as a Category 4 hurricane. The hurricane broke the shipwreck into pieces leaving only the aft (stern) section upright and intact on the sandy bottom. This is the only section of the wreck that permits light diver penetration.
A descent line is generally attached to this section, although, like Gunboat C-58, boats may no longer tie up to this line. The stern can be appreciated resting on its left (port) side.
Pieces of the engine can be seen around the wreck, scattered along the sea floor.
The boat's bow is located nearby and has tiny windows along the side.
Specifications:
Displacement 945 t.(fl)
650 Tons
Length 184' 6"
Beam 33'
Draft 9' 9"
Speed 14.8 kt.
Complement 104
Armament: One 3"/50 dual-purpose mount, one twin 40mm gun mount, six 20mm gun mounts, one depth charge projector (hedgehog), four depth charge projectors (K-guns), and two depth charge tracks
Propulsion: Two 1,710shp Cooper Bessemer GSB-8 diesel engines, National Supply Co. single reduction gear, two shafts.
Spotted Eagle Ray Season
As with Gunboat C-58, this shipwreck is the return destination for the annual migration of Spotted Eagle Rays.
Being the lesser dived of the two wrecks, it can be an excellent opportunity to see the large numbers of these creatures undisturbed by other divers.
The Spotted Eagle Rays return yearly to frolic, eat and mate in the strong currents that are the trademark of this dive. Divers often see 50-100 magnificent animals gliding peacefully but closely overhead.
The white sand and the shallower depth allow for some great photos to be taken here, both of the wreck and the marine life (although a red filter or white balance will still make a significant difference to your photos).
Marine life
So much marine life now exists in this once-barren area. Artificial reefs create such an impact on the biodiversity of an area, and Gunboat C-55 is no exception.
This shipwreck is home to nurse sharks, rays, eels, jacks, barracudas, groupers, sardines, and parrotfish.
Small crustaceans have made their home in the shipwreck, and corals and sponges have attached themselves to the sides.
The Dive
This dive is an advanced dive and should be treated as such. The strong currents and depth mean divers must have experience before attempting this dive. A strict screening process applies to be able to participate in this dive for the safety of both the diver and the guide.
While there is generally a line available for descents, boats can no longer tie up to this, as we mentioned previously. So the entry to this dive is by a negative entry, backward roll. Divers can then free-descent to the bottom or swim to the descent line and use it to help them to the bottom. Divers must be secure in their ears and their diving skills.
Your ability to listen to your guide and be a good buddy to your diving partner will mean that everyone has a great, safe, and fun dive.
The normal dive time for this dive is around 30-35 minutes, and a safety stop is necessary.
Although there is a descent line, the shipwrecks are located in the open ocean. Therefore a DSMB is a crucial piece of dive equipment for alerting other boats of your position and helping you maintain safe diving practices such as slow ascent rates and safety stops (although you should be able to do this without a line too).
Depth
22 meters / 75 feet
Required Experience Level
Advanced Open Water Certified Diver / Experienced Diver
Average Underwater Visibility
20 meters / 65 feet
Average Water Temp
26 Cº / 79 F°
Normal Dive Time
30-35 minutes (safety stop required)
To view the fish surveyed here with reef.org, click HERE.
PacificWrecks.com. (2022, 23 April). Pacific Wrecks - USS Ransom (AM-283/MSF-283) ARM DM-12 / ARM Teniente Juan de la Barrera C55. Pacific Wrecks. https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/usn/AM-283-.html
Ransom (MSF 283). (1996). Navsource Naval History. http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02283.htm
USS Ransom (AM 283) of the U.S. Navy - American Minesweeper of the Admirable class - Allied Warships of WWII - uboat.net. (1995). Uboat.Net. https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5933.html
Wikipedia contributors. (2022, 15 February). USS Ransom (AM-283). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Ransom_(AM-283)