North Carolina Shipwrecks: Christian Divers Dive Club, a North Carolina based scuba club


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NC Shipwrecks

NC Shipwrecks

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The Graveyard of the Atlantic

Known as "The Graveyard of the Atlantic", offshore North Carolina has claimed more than 2,000 ships since the 1500s. Less than 120 of these wrecks lie within reach of the recreational diver. However, these wrecks offer some of the best wreck diving to be found anywhere in the world. They lie from a few hundred feet to 60 miles offshore in water ranging from 30 to 240 feet deep.

The warm tropical waters of the Gulf Stream comes closest to the East Coast at North Carolina than anywhere else except the tip of Florida. Wrecks are abound with a wide variety of tropical marine life up from the Caribbean. Common on NC shipwrecks are beautiful corals, sponges, moray eels, blue angelfish, lobsters, groupers, amberjacks, sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, porpoises, starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, triggerfish and more.

Underwater visibility depends upon how far the wreck lies from shore, but visibility on wrecks lying 20 or more miles offshore ranges from 80 to 150 feet. Water temperture offshore will hover around the upper 70s and 80s.

Listed below are some of the more common NC shipwrecks:

U-85	German submarine was the first U-boat sunk off the East Coast. The U-85 sank in 100 feet of water off Nags Head.
NORVANA and the BYRON D. BENSON	Both are tankers built in the early 1920s and torpedoed by German U-boats early in 1942. The Norvana lies in 100 feet of water northeast of the U-85. To the northeast of the Norvana is the much larger wreck site of the Byron D. Benson which rests in 90 feet of water.
BUARQUE	Brazilian passenger-cargo vessel which was torpedoed in 1942 and lies in 140 feet of water, 40 miles northeast of Oregon Inlet.
CILTVIARA	A freighter torpedoed early in 1942. A "tropical" wreck that is home to many corals, sponges and other marine life usually found in the Caribbean. Lies Southeast of Oregon Inlet, off Avon, NC in 105 feet of water.
EMPIRE GEM	British tanker torpedoed in January 1942, lies on the northeast side of Diamond Shoals in the Cape Hatteras area.
DIXIE ARROW	Tanker torpedoed by German U-boats in 1942, lies in 90 feet of water southwest of Hatteras off Hatteras Inlet.
The U-352	A German Submarine (VII-C Class) 218 feet long was sunk April 9, 1942 by the United States Coast Guard Cutter "ICARUS". This vessel is possibly the most intact and unique wreck in this area. This is the signature dive in the Morehead City area. The maximum depth of the dive is 110 feet.
The PAPOOSE	An American Tanker 412 ft. in length was torpedoed & sunk on march 3, 1942 by the German Submarine U-124 Vessel is intact & upside down with the hull rising approx. 30 ft. off the bottom. This wreck is a breeding ground for Atlantic Sand Tiger Sharks. Depth of dive is approx. 125 ft.
The SHURTZ	A WW1 German Cruiser 225 ft. in length was captured & repatriated by the U.S. at the outbreak off the war On June 21, 1918 it sunk after colliding with the S.S. FLORIDA. Time has taken a heavy toll on this vessel. The deck cannons, boilers,& engines are the remaining structures visible making this an excellent dive. Many artifacts are still being recovered. This one of the prettiest dives South of Cape Lookout !! Depth of dive is approx. 110 ft.
The AEOLUS	An American Cable Layer 439 ft long was sunk as an "Artificial Reef" & is broken into three major sections. The bow is resting on its port side, the midsection is askew, and the stern section is sitting upright. Some sections have a relief that come within 55ft of the surface. Depth of dive is approx. 120 ft.
The HUTTON	An American Oil Tanker 435 ft. long was torpedoed & sunk on March 18, 1942 by the German Sub U-124. Although the ship is upright, it was destroyed to a depth of 40 ft. Depth of dive is approx. 110 ft. Depth of dive is approx. 70 ft.
The SULOIDE	A Brazilian Freighter 338 ft long sank on March 26, 1943 after colliding with the sunken hull of the "HUTTON." The vessel is upright but "Cable Dragging" by the U.S.C.G. "VIGILANT" brought this ship to 40 ft. below the surface. Depth of dive is approx. 65 ft.
The SENATEUR DUHAMMEL	A converted British armed Trawler 192 ft. long sank after colliding with the "USS SEMMES" on April 6, 1942. This vessel was destroyed by the U.S.C.G. "VIGILANT" relatively flat to the bottom as she was a hazard to ship navigation.
The NAECO	An American Oil Tanker 411 ft. long was torpedoed & sunk by the German Sub U-124 on March 23, 1942. This wreck is broken in two making each section a separate dive. Although it is sitting upright & diving is excellent, due to the depth & distance from shore this is not normally dove. Special charters can be arranged. Advanced computer divers are preferred. Depth of dive is 140 ft.
The HMS BEDFORDSHIRE	A converted British armed Trawler 162 ft. long was torpedoed & sunk by the German Sub U-588 on May 12, 1942. While this ship is upright, the force of the explosion leveled this wreck & deck plates can be found as far away as 300 ft. from the main wreckage. Depth of dive is approx. 105 ft.
The HARDEES	A Yard Oiler 174 ft. long was sunk as an "Artificial Reef." The vessel is upright & intact. It is considered a very easy dive. Depth of dive is approx. 100 ft.
The ATLAS	An American Oil Tanker 430 ft. long was torpedoed & sunk by the German Sub U-552 on April 9, 1942. The vessel is upright & semi-intact as it is broken into 3 pcs. with the upper pcs. of structure rising to within 90 ft. of the surface. This wreck host a large group of Atlantic Sand Tiger sharks, but visibility may be less than what is found on the southside wrecks. Depth of dive is approx. 125 ft.
The CARIBE SEA	An American Freighter251 ft. long was torpedoed & sunk by the German Sub U-158. The wreck is upright but attack by depth charges during the war years has leveled most of the wreck except for the Bow section. This is one of the best dives in the area with a small contingent of Atlantic Sand Tiger sharks that seem to have made this wreck their home!! Artifacts are still being recovered off this wreck. The depth of dive is approx. 80 ft.
The ASHKABAD	A Russian Oil Tanker 400 ft. long was torpedoed & sunk by the German Sub U-402 on April 29, 1942. This wreck was demolished by explosives to a depth of 40 ft. making this a most picturesque dive. Recently, hurricanes have uncovered new sections of this wreck and many artifacts are being discovered. Depth of dive is approx. 55 ft.
The AMAGANSANT	A 140 ft. long Menhaden boat sank during a storm. She was intact & laying on her starboard side. In June of 1995, this vessel was torn apart somehow & the Bow section now sits pointed upward. Large grouper can be found here as well as many tropical fish. Depth of dive is approx. 125 ft.
The PORTLAND	A Panamanian Freighter 289 ft. long sank after running aground. The vessel is intact & considered a World Class dive but due to the vicinity of the shoals at Cape Lookout, visability can range from 50 ft. to as little as 5 inches depending on the wind direction. This is an excellent dive when the winds are from the N.E. or the N.W. Depth of dive is approx. 55 ft.