For several centuries, the shallow reefs out from the Florida Keys have claimed hundreds of seagoing vessels. Today, many thousands of curious tourists, avid snorkelers and exploring scuba divers gather here to experience the allure of the Florida Keys shipwrecks. The most popular destination for viewing wrecks in the area is The Florida National Marine Sanctuary.
The sanctuary has portioned off an extended segment in the region called the Shipwreck Trail that runs down the vast coral reefs. The ships certainly are a moving testament to simply how tough that it was to sail the difficult and shallow water that lies away from the coast. Additionally, there are many vessels that have now been deliberately sunk to make new habitats for native sea life.
The oldest wreck on the trail is the San Pedro. This particular sailing ship was a part of the mighty Spanish Fleet until it met its doom while delivering treasure in 1733. Considering its age, it's well preserved. It met its demise during a forceful hurricane while on an ill fated journey from Cuba to Spain. It was not discovered until the 1960s and the majority of the valuables thought to be aboard were removed.
The most recent wreck is the USS Spiegel Grove. It was once owned by the United States Navy and is more than 500 feet in length. This had been deliberately sunk following its retirement for the purpose of developing a synthetic reef. It is decidedly the most significant wreck site to be seen in the sanctuary. The truth is, it's the largest known boat anywhere ever specifically sunk for this reason.
One popular site is the resting place of a steamship that lacked a positive identification for over 100 years. It is now known to be the Hannah M. Bell, a cargo ship that carried sugar, cotton and coal. Historians have now verified that it went aground in 1911 on its way to Mexico. Heavy storms and relentless waves broke the boat apart and sent the boat to the bottom in the gulf near Elbow Reef.
One noteworthy wreck, an American naval forces destroyer known as the Amesbury, met its unlucky fate due to a towing accident. This peculiar vessel, supplied critical service throughout the 1940s in China, Korea and France. While getting towed in 1970 it became detached from the vehicle pulling it and sank in just twenty five feet of water. So, it can be conveniently viewed by scuba diving, by snorkeling or from a boat deck.
A schooner named the City of Washington was built in 1877 and sank just off Elbow Reef in 1917. This boat maintains a great deal of historical significance related to the Spanish-American War. It is known to have recovered numerous shipwrecked crewmen in Cuba. It was also put into service during the war as an essential troop transport vehicle.
It is calculated that nearly 100,000 people go visit Florida Keys shipwrecks every year. Consequently, it's fairly easy to find the right diving tour, diving excursion or professional guide to access these splendid sites. At any rate, visitors will discover plenty of options to experience this distinctive and intriguing historical area.
The sanctuary has portioned off an extended segment in the region called the Shipwreck Trail that runs down the vast coral reefs. The ships certainly are a moving testament to simply how tough that it was to sail the difficult and shallow water that lies away from the coast. Additionally, there are many vessels that have now been deliberately sunk to make new habitats for native sea life.
The oldest wreck on the trail is the San Pedro. This particular sailing ship was a part of the mighty Spanish Fleet until it met its doom while delivering treasure in 1733. Considering its age, it's well preserved. It met its demise during a forceful hurricane while on an ill fated journey from Cuba to Spain. It was not discovered until the 1960s and the majority of the valuables thought to be aboard were removed.
The most recent wreck is the USS Spiegel Grove. It was once owned by the United States Navy and is more than 500 feet in length. This had been deliberately sunk following its retirement for the purpose of developing a synthetic reef. It is decidedly the most significant wreck site to be seen in the sanctuary. The truth is, it's the largest known boat anywhere ever specifically sunk for this reason.
One popular site is the resting place of a steamship that lacked a positive identification for over 100 years. It is now known to be the Hannah M. Bell, a cargo ship that carried sugar, cotton and coal. Historians have now verified that it went aground in 1911 on its way to Mexico. Heavy storms and relentless waves broke the boat apart and sent the boat to the bottom in the gulf near Elbow Reef.
One noteworthy wreck, an American naval forces destroyer known as the Amesbury, met its unlucky fate due to a towing accident. This peculiar vessel, supplied critical service throughout the 1940s in China, Korea and France. While getting towed in 1970 it became detached from the vehicle pulling it and sank in just twenty five feet of water. So, it can be conveniently viewed by scuba diving, by snorkeling or from a boat deck.
A schooner named the City of Washington was built in 1877 and sank just off Elbow Reef in 1917. This boat maintains a great deal of historical significance related to the Spanish-American War. It is known to have recovered numerous shipwrecked crewmen in Cuba. It was also put into service during the war as an essential troop transport vehicle.
It is calculated that nearly 100,000 people go visit Florida Keys shipwrecks every year. Consequently, it's fairly easy to find the right diving tour, diving excursion or professional guide to access these splendid sites. At any rate, visitors will discover plenty of options to experience this distinctive and intriguing historical area.
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