List of shipwrecks of Florida

This is a list of shipwrecks located in, and off the coast of, Florida.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
Map of Florida, 1864

Bay County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
USCS Belle 1857 A schooner that ran aground off St. Andrews Bay.
SS Tarpon 30 August 1937 A steamship that foundered off Panama City. 30°5′42.12″N 85°56′33.3″W
Vamar 19 March 1942 An English ship that sank near Mexico Beach. 29°53′56″N 85°27′48″W

Brevard County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Cities Services Empire 22 February 1942 A tanker that was torpedoed by U-128 off Cape Canaveral in 240 fsw.[1][2]
SS Ocean Venus 3 May 1942 An Ocean ship that was torpedoed by U-564 12 nautical miles (22 km) East south east of Cape Canaveral, Florida 28°23′N 80°21′W

Broward County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
SS Copenhagen 1900 A steamship that crashed into a reef at Pompano Beach.[1][3] 26°12′20″N 80°05′06.46″W
MV Mercedes I 30 March 1985 A merchant vessel that was scuttled as an artificial reef off Fort Lauderdale.

Charlotte County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
USS Annie 30 December 1864 A schooner that sank near Charlotte Harbor.

Dixie County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
City of Hawkinsville 1922 A paddle steamer that was abandoned in the Suwannee River. 29°36′26″N 82°58′15″W

Duval County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
SS Gulfamerica 11 April 1942 A tanker torpedoed by U-123 off Jacksonville. 30°14′N 81°18′W
Maple Leaf 1 April 1864 An American Civil War troopship that struck a naval mine near Jacksonville.[4][5] 30°09′30″N 81°41′12″W

Escambia County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
USS Massachusetts (BB-2) January 1921 An Indiana-class battleship that was sunk as a target for shore batteries off Pensacola. 30°17′49″N 87°18′41″W
USS Oriskany (CV-34) 17 May 2006 An Essex-class aircraft carrier that was sunk as an artificial reef off Pensacola. 30.042500°N 87.006383°W / 30.042500; -87.006383 (USS Oriskany (CV-34))
USS Preble 27 April 1863 A sloop-of-war that exploded off Pensacola.
San Juan 19 September 1559 A Spanish galleon that was sunk by a hurricane. 30.34°N 87.23°W / 30.34; -87.23 (Emanuel Point Shipwreck Site)

Franklin County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Benjamin C. Cromwell 1 August 1899 An American schooner that was wrecked and beached in a hurricane on Dog Island.
Capitola 1 August 1899 A steamship that was wrecked and beached in a hurricane on Dog Island.
Cortesia 1 August 1899 An Italian barque that was split in half and beached in a hurricane on Dog Island.
Elsbeth 1 August 1899 A Norwegian barque that was wrecked and beached in a hurricane on Dog Island.
Empire Mica 29 June 1942 A British cargo ship torpedoed and sunk by U-67 off the coast of Apalachicola 29°29′N 85°17′W
HMS Fox (1799) 1799 A 14 gun schooner that was sunk off Dog Island.
Grace Andrews 1 August 1899 An American schooner that was wrecked and beached in a hurricane on Dog Island.
Hindoo 1 August 1899 A Norwegian barque that was wrecked in a hurricane and beached on Dog Island.
Iola 1 August 1899 A steamship that was wrecked and beached in a hurricane on Dog Island.
James A. Garfield 1 August 1899 An American barque that was wrecked and beached in a hurricane on Dog Island.
Jafnhar 1 August 1899 A Norwegian barque that was wrecked in a hurricane and beached on Dog Island.
Latara 1 August 1899 A Russian barque that was wrecked in a hurricane and beached on Dog Island.
Le Tigre 16 February 1766 A merchant vessel that was stranded on Dog Island during a hurricane.
Mary E. Morse 1 August 1899 An American schooner was wrecked in a hurricane and beached on Dog Island.
Ranavola 1 August 1899 A Norwegian barque that was destroyed in a hurricane at Dog Island.
Vale 1 August 1899 A Norwegian barque that was wrecked and beached in a hurricane on Dog Island.
Warren Adams 1 August 1899 An American schooner that was wrecked and beached in a hurricane on Dog Island.
Vidette 1 August 1899 An American brigantine that was wrecked and beached in a hurricane on Dog Island.

Hillsborough County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
USS Narcissus (1863) 4 January 1866 A steamboat that sank off Egmont Key.

Indian River County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
SS Breconshire (1883) April 29 1894 A British steamship that ran aground and sank off Vero Beach in 15 to 20 feet of water.[6] 27°39′8.86″N 80°21′3.5″W

Manatee County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Nohab (Lensahn III) 1934 The former steam yacht of Friedrich Augustus II, Grand Duke of Oldenburg (1852-1931). In September 1926, while in Biscayne Bay, the ship was damaged by a hurricane and five of the seven crew died, including the captain. She was towed to the Port of Miami by tugs. In 1928, she was moved to Tampa Bay but she was not repaired and she sank in 1934. Her hulk was towed 15 nautical miles out to sea and abandoned to sink. The location of her wreck was forgotten and only rediscovered in 2007.[7] 27°26′45″N 82°59′59″W
Doc's Barge Unknown A barge that sunk in 65 feet of water roughly 18 miles from Longboat Pass. Little to nothing is known about the vessel.[8]
Fin Barge Unknown Little to nothing is known about the vessel. It sank in 85 feet of water, 25 miles from shore[9]
SS Regina 1940 A tanker that sank near Bradenton Beach. 27°28′08″N 82°42′07″W

Martin County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Georges Valentine 16 October 1904 A barquentine that sank in a storm off Hutchinson Island. 27°11′55.8″N 80°9′49.8″W
USS Muliphen (AKA-61) 21 January 1989 An Andromeda-class attack cargo ship that was sunk as an artificial reef off Stuart. 27°24.331′N 80°00.337′W
USS Rankin (AKA-103) 24 July 1988 A Tolland-class attack cargo ship that was sunk as a fishing and diving reef off Stuart.

Miami-Dade County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
HMS Fowey (1744) 26 June 1748 A warship that struck a reef offshore from Biscayne Bay.
SS Arratoon Apcar 20 February 1878 A freighter that struck the reef where the Fowey Rocks Lighthouse was under construction. 25.590283°N 80.096667°W / 25.590283; -80.096667 (SS Arratoon Apcar)
Half Moon 1930 A German racing yacht that ended its life as a floating restaurant and dance hall off Miami, where it sank near Key Biscayne. 25°43′39″N 80°8′4″W
SS Potrero del Llano 14 May 1942 An oil tanker that was torpedoed by U-564. 25°35′N 80°06′W

Monroe County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Adelaide Baker A barque that ran aground on a reef off Duck Key.[1]
MV Adolphus Busch 24 September 1998 A cargo ship that was sunk as an artificial reef off Looe Key. 24.5307°N 81.4615°W / 24.5307; -81.4615 (MV Adolphus Busch)
USS Alligator 23 November 1822 A schooner that ran aground on Alligator Reef.
USS Amesbury (DE-66) 1962 A Buckley-class destroyer escort that sank under tow off Key West.[10]
Angustias 1733 A ship in the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet that was wrecked along the Florida Keys. 24°47.16′N 80°51.31′W
Benwood 9 April 1942 A cargo ship that collided with Robert C. Tuttle off Key Largo.[11]
USCGC Bibb (WPG-31) 28 November 1987 A Treasury-class cutter that was sunk as artificial reef off Key Largo.[4] 24°59.71′N 80°22.77′W
Chavez 1733 A ship in the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet that was wrecked along the Florida Keys.
City of Washington 10 July 1917 A steamship that ran aground off Key Largo.[1][12]
USS Coco 9 September 1919 A patrol vessel that was wrecked at Key West in the 1919 Florida Keys hurricane.
USS Curb (ARS-21) 23 November 1983 A Diver-class rescue and salvage ship that sank off Key West as an artificial reef in 185 fsw.[1][10]
USCGC Duane (WPG-33) 27 November 1987 A Treasury-class cutter that was sunk as an artificial reef near Key Largo.[4][10] 25°00′25.98″N 80°20′47.22″W
Eagle 19 December 1985 A cargo ship that was sunk as an artificial reef off Florida Keys after heavy fire damage. 24°52′11″N 80°34′13″W
El Gallo Indiano 1733 A ship in the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet that was wrecked along the Florida Keys.
El Infante 1733 A ship in the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet that was wrecked along the Florida Keys.
El Rubi 1733 A ship in the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet that was wrecked along the Florida Keys.
USS Fred T. Berry (DD-858) 14 May 1972 A Gearing-class destroyer that was scuttled off Key West as an artificial reef. In 1973, the research submersible Johnson Sea Link became entangled in the wreckage, resulting in the deaths of two of its occupants. 24°27.8′N 81°33.3′W
Guerrero 19 December 1827 A Spanish-Cuban slave ship that wrecked on a reef in the Florida Keys after a running gun battle with a Royal Navy anti-slavery patrol ship.
USS Helena I 11 September 1919 A yacht that was wrecked off Key West in the 1919 Florida Keys hurricane.
Henrietta Marie 1700 A slave ship sunk off Florida Keys.
Herrera 1733 A ship in the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet that was wrecked along the Florida Keys.
Isaac Allerton 28 August 1856 A merchant ship that sank in a hurricane off the Saddlebunch Keys.
USS Katherine K. 10 September 1919 A patrol vessel that was wrecked off Key West in the 1919 Florida Keys hurricane.
USS Kendrick (DD-612) A Benson-class destroyer that was sunk off Key West in tests, in 320 fsw.
HMS Looe 5 February 1744 A frigate that ran aground off Big Pine Key during the War of Jenkins' Ear. 24.5477°N 81.4052°W / 24.5477; -81.4052 (HMS Looe)
Major General Wallace F. Randolph 6 March 1986 Renamed Thunderbolt. A mine planter that was sunk as an artificial reef off Marathon.
USS Morris 11 October 1846 A schooner that was wrecked off Key West in a hurricane.
USS Nemes 21 August 1917 A patrol vessel that exploded off Key West.
Nuestra Señora de Atocha 6 September 1622 A Spanish galleon that sank 40 miles (64 km) off the coast of Key West. The wreck was found on 20 July 1985 by treasure hunters, who soon began to raise $400 million in coins and silver.
Nuestra Señora del Populo 1733 A ship in the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet that was wrecked along the Florida Keys.
USS Patrol No. 1 10 September 1919 A patrol vessel that was wrecked off Key West in the 1919 Florida Keys hurricane.
Queen of Nassau 2 July 1926 A patrol boat that flooded and sank off Florida.
USS R-12 12 June 1943 An R-class submarine that foundered south of the Florida Keys. 24°24′30″N 81°38′30″W
USS S-16 (SS-121) 3 April 1945 An S-class submarine that was sunk off Key West as a target, in 260 fsw.[4] 24°25.207′N 82°02.393′W
San Felipe 1733 A ship in the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet that was wrecked along the Florida Keys. 24°50′45.66″N 80°42′51″W
San Francisco 1733 A ship in the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet that was wrecked along the Florida Keys.
San Jose 1733 A ship in the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet that was wrecked along the Florida Keys. 24°56′55″N 80°29′20″W
San Pedro 1733 A ship in the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet that was wrecked along the Florida Keys.
Santa Margarita 1622 A Spanish ship that sank in a hurricane off Key West.
USS Saufley (DD-465) 20 February 1968 A Fletcher-class destroyer that was sunk as a target in 420 fsw off Key West.
USS Sea Hawk 10 September 1919 A patrol boat that was wrecked off Key West in the 1919 Florida Keys hurricane.
USS Spiegel Grove (LSD-32) 17 May 2002 A Thomaston-class dock landing ship that was sunk as an artificial reef off Florida Keys.[4] 25°04′00.2″N 80°18′00.7″W
USS St. Sebastian 9 September 1919 A patrol vessel that was wrecked at Key West in the 1919 Florida Keys hurricane.
USS Sturtevant (DD-240) 26 April 1942 A Clemson-class destroyer that ran into a friendly mine-field in the northwest channel. 24°45′N 82°1′W
USS Sylvia 9 September 1919 A patrol vessel that was wrecked at Key West in the 1919 Florida Keys hurricane.
Sueco de Arizon 1733 A ship in the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet that was wrecked along the Florida Keys.
Tres Puentes 1733 A ship in the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet that was wrecked along the Florida Keys.
HMS Tyger 11 January 1741 A frigate that ran aground on a reef in the Dry Tortugas.
U-2513 7 October 1951 A Type XXI U-boat that was sunk west of Key West during rocket tests by the destroyer USS Robert A. Owens.[4] 24°52.015′N 83°18.594′W
SS Valbanera September 1919 A steamship that sank in a hurricane 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Rebecca Shoal (about 45 miles (72 km) west of Key West).
USS Wilkes-Barre (CL-103) 12 May 1972 A Cleveland-class light cruiser that was sunk as a target off the Florida Keys.[1][13] 24.6101°N 81.7630°W / 24.6101; -81.7630 (USS Wilkes-Barre (CL-103))

Okaloosa County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
USS Ozark (LSV-2) 1981 A Catskill-class amphibious assault ship that was sunk as a target off Destin.

Palm Beach County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Amaryllis 22 August 1968 A cargo ship that ran aground at Singer Island on 7 September 1965, during Hurricane Betsy. After several salvage attempts, the ship was abandoned and became a tourist attraction. Eventually, the Army Corps of Engineers succeeded in towing the ship three-quarters of a mile out to sea, where she was scuttled as an artificial reef. 26°47′17″N 80°00′58″W
SS Inchulva 11 September 1903 A British Steamship that ran aground and sank off Delray Beach in a hurricane. 26°27′12″N 80°03′22″W
Lofthus 1898 A barque that sank near Boynton Beach. 26°33′46″N 80°02′18″W
SS Ohioan 8 May 1942 A Cargo Ship that was sunk off Boynton Beach by U-564. 26°31′N 79°59′W

Pinellas County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) 28 January 1980 A USCG seagoing buoy tender that collided with the tanker Capricorn in Tampa Bay, in the Egmont channel. The wreck was raised and re-sunk 20 mi (32 km) off Clearwater.[1]

Sarasota County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Antonio Ensenat 1 November 1943 A Cuban schooner that sank after colliding with a Honduran schooner bow to bow on 1 November 1943.[14] 27°05.12′N 82°41.00′W
Bay Ronto 13 September 1919 A British freighter that sank during a hurricane.[15] 26°45.751′N 82°50.862′W
Zalophus 4 February 1930 A private yacht that was owned by John Ringling and sank after hitting an uncharted metallic object 1 mile off Lido Key. New York Mayor Jimmy Walker and his mistress Bettie Crompton were notably onboard. [16]

St. Johns County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
USS Basilone 9 April 1982 A Gearing-class destroyer that was sunk as a target off St. Augustine.
Industry 6 May 1764 A British supply sloop en route from New York, wrecked off St. Augustine Light.
USC&GS Isis January 1920 A survey ship that was wrecked off Crescent Beach. 29.77212°N 81.22192°W / 29.77212; -81.22192 (USC&GS Isis)

St. Lucie County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Urca de Lima 1715 A Spanish ship, and part of the 1715 Treasure Fleet, that sank near Fort Pierce 27°30′19″N 80°17′57″W
SS Amazone 6 May 1942 A Cargo ship that was torpedoed off of Fort Pierce by U-333. 27°21′N 80°04′W
SS Halsey 6 May 1942 A Cargo ship that was torpedoed off St. Lucie Inlet by U-333. 27°14′N 80°03′W

Tampa Bay
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
A.B. Noyes October 16th, 1863 A Union barge that was captured and burned by Confederates near Fort Brooke Fort Brooke 27°30′19″N 80°17′57″W

Volusia County
Ship Sunk date Notes Coordinates
SS Commodore 2 January 1897 A steamboat that foundered off Ponce de Leon Inlet Light. Stephen Crane, a passenger on the ship, was stranded for thirty hours in a dingy, and based his story "The Open Boat" on the experience.
USS Mindanao (ARG-3) 1980 A Luzon-class auxiliary ship that was sunk as an artificial reef off Daytona Beach. 29°12.00′N 80°44.87′W
Nathan F. Cobb 1 December 1896 A schooner that ran aground off Ormond Beach.

References
  1. Barnette, Michael C. (2003). Shipwrecks of the sunshine state: Florida's submerged history. Association of Underwater Explorers. ISBN 0-9743036-0-7.
  2. Barnette, Michael C. "German U-Boat Attacks Off Florida Coast". Association of Underwater Explorers. Archived from the original on 18 May 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  3. Barnette, Michael C. "SS Copenhagen". Association of Underwater Explorers. Archived from the original on 6 June 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  4. Barnette, Michael C. (2008). Florida's Shipwrecks. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-5413-6.
  5. FJ Cantelas, BA Rodgers (1997). "Tools, Techniques, and Zero Visibility Archaeology". In: EJ Maney, Jr and CH Ellis, Jr (Eds.) the Diving for Science...1997, Proceedings of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences, Seventeenth Annual Scientific Diving Symposium, Northeastern University, Boston, MA. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  6. "'BOILER WRECK' OFFERS EASY ACCESS OFF VERO BEACH". Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-08-19. Retrieved 2019-08-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Central West Reefs & Shipwrecks - Florida Go Fishing". www.floridagofishing.com. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  9. "Central West Reefs & Shipwrecks - Florida Go Fishing". www.floridagofishing.com. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
  10. "Shipwrecks of Florida". electricbluefishing.com. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  11. Barnette, Michael C. "Benwood". Association of Underwater Explorers. Archived from the original on 6 June 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  12. Barnette, Michael C. "City of Washington". Association of Underwater Explorers. Archived from the original on 6 June 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  13. Barnette, Michael C. "USS Wilkes-Barre". Association of Underwater Explorers. Archived from the original on 23 October 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  14. "Central West Reefs & Shipwrecks - Florida Go Fishing". www.floridagofishing.com. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  15. "Central West Reefs & Shipwrecks - Florida Go Fishing". www.floridagofishing.com. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
  16. "Ringling Shipwreck Still an Unsolved Mystery | National Underwater and Marine Agency". www.numa.net. Retrieved 2019-05-19.

Further reading
  • Marx, Robert F. (1987). Shipwrecks in the Americas. New York: Dover. pp. 191–235. ISBN 0-486-25514-X.
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