The dive

The wreck is laid down on navigation trim at approximately 58 meters below the surface of the sea; the bottom is mainly characterized by very fine sediments, silty-clay; this physical characteristic usually causes muddy water that, on one hand, complicates the scuba exploration of the wreck while, on the other hand, helps the preservation of the Aderno. Moreover, this particular environmental situation creates a surer habitat for a multitude of fish and facilitating the settling and survival of benthic organisms.
We can reach the ship going down from a platform anchored to the aft mast, which rises from the main deck up to about 35 meters deep. From the base of the mast, at about 48 meters deep, we begin to follow the port side of the ship in the direction of the stern. The long rows of below deck cabin portholes are visible, for the large part perfectly preserved; while beyond there are the promenades giving access to the first class cabins.
Continuing along the shipside for almost the whole length we meet one of the two big anchors, Hall type, still in its original resting position. In spite of restricted visibility we step back some meters from the ship to admire the vertical bow, typical of the ships of that age.
Heading back towards our point of descent, turning and passing over the main deck we come across a large object which at first looks like a torpedo; but on closer inspection one can see that there is no propeller so probably this object is some kind of anti-mine device.
After a little while we return toward the stern to inspect the forecastle, the original wooden floors of which have collapsed, leaving only the sidewalls remaining. Here we find one of the several antiaircraft positions, still equipped with a machinegun the mountings for which, surprisingly, are still movable. These towers were not part of the original equipment of the ship but were added during the war to provide some defense against enemy aircraft.