For centuries, the wreckage of hundreds of ships has been found amongst the Florida Keys shallow reefs. A very lucrative business of salvaging cargo and ship repair sprung from the Florida Keys shipwrecks. The Florida National Marine Sanctuary has partitioned off a section of the water known as shipwreck trail that can be found along the coral reefs. The boats and ships there have great stories behind their names. They also provide useful information on how hard it was to sail through those rough and shallow waters.
Sitting one hundred and thirty-four feet by Dixie Shoals is the most recent shipwreck called the USS Spiegel Grove. The ship belonged to the US Naval fleet and was intentionally sunk in Key Largo to aid in the formation of an artificial reef. It is the largest wreck site in the Keys.
A British steamer named Hannah M. Bell is one of the most famous wrecks near Key Largo. She is over three hundred feet long and went down by Elbow Reef while bringing a large coal shipment to Vera Cruz, Mexico.
Other wrecks found along the trail include the Thunderbolt, which lies completely upright and intact in one hundred and twenty feet of water south of Key Colony Beach. The San Pedro is there also. This ship was a member of the Spanish treasure seeking fleet in 1733. This is the oldest shipwreck along the trail and sunk a mile south of Indian Key in about eighteen feet of water.
Included are vessels that were sunk intentionally. They are used to aid in the creation of reefs. The United States Coast Guard donated such a ship. It is a cutter shipped named Duane. It is considered a historical monument and has the honor being placed in the National Register of Historic Places.
One other vessel that was supposed to be sunk on purpose is the Eagle. It was supposed to go down near Alligator Reef and become part of an artificial reef. Unfortunately, before it could be towed to the proper location, the Eagle broke its moorings and drifted away from its location. With no other choice, divers dropped the anchor and the Eagle sank in a different location.
Most ships sink because of crashes or wrecks, or are sunk intentionally. However there are other reasons. An example of this happening is the City of Washington vessel. This ship sunk in 1917 while it was attached to a tugboat and being towed across the water. Nearly the same thing happened with an American destroyer named the Amesbury. As it was being towed, the tow broke and it immediately sank. The Amesbury and the City of Washington are both a part of the shipwreck trail.
Visitors and divers are welcome to explore and inspect the Florida Keys shipwrecks along the National Marine Sanctuary trail. For each site, there is a guide available that includes information on the wrecks, and the buoy positions. The guide also includes a brief history of the wreck and loads of information on the marine life found near and on each site. Removing or disturbing any of the artifacts is strictly prohibited. These great vessels are a part of history. Everything about them needs to be kept where it is so that historians are able to document the wrecks and divers can enjoy them.
Sitting one hundred and thirty-four feet by Dixie Shoals is the most recent shipwreck called the USS Spiegel Grove. The ship belonged to the US Naval fleet and was intentionally sunk in Key Largo to aid in the formation of an artificial reef. It is the largest wreck site in the Keys.
A British steamer named Hannah M. Bell is one of the most famous wrecks near Key Largo. She is over three hundred feet long and went down by Elbow Reef while bringing a large coal shipment to Vera Cruz, Mexico.
Other wrecks found along the trail include the Thunderbolt, which lies completely upright and intact in one hundred and twenty feet of water south of Key Colony Beach. The San Pedro is there also. This ship was a member of the Spanish treasure seeking fleet in 1733. This is the oldest shipwreck along the trail and sunk a mile south of Indian Key in about eighteen feet of water.
Included are vessels that were sunk intentionally. They are used to aid in the creation of reefs. The United States Coast Guard donated such a ship. It is a cutter shipped named Duane. It is considered a historical monument and has the honor being placed in the National Register of Historic Places.
One other vessel that was supposed to be sunk on purpose is the Eagle. It was supposed to go down near Alligator Reef and become part of an artificial reef. Unfortunately, before it could be towed to the proper location, the Eagle broke its moorings and drifted away from its location. With no other choice, divers dropped the anchor and the Eagle sank in a different location.
Most ships sink because of crashes or wrecks, or are sunk intentionally. However there are other reasons. An example of this happening is the City of Washington vessel. This ship sunk in 1917 while it was attached to a tugboat and being towed across the water. Nearly the same thing happened with an American destroyer named the Amesbury. As it was being towed, the tow broke and it immediately sank. The Amesbury and the City of Washington are both a part of the shipwreck trail.
Visitors and divers are welcome to explore and inspect the Florida Keys shipwrecks along the National Marine Sanctuary trail. For each site, there is a guide available that includes information on the wrecks, and the buoy positions. The guide also includes a brief history of the wreck and loads of information on the marine life found near and on each site. Removing or disturbing any of the artifacts is strictly prohibited. These great vessels are a part of history. Everything about them needs to be kept where it is so that historians are able to document the wrecks and divers can enjoy them.
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