The History Of Florida Shipwrecks

There is a long history of Florida shipwrecks. Some trade vessels became the victims of hurricanes and other forces of nature. Others are historical remnants from Spanish explorers seeking gold and other treasures. The heavy German U-boat attacks during World War II also left underwater wreckage.

Many yachts and tankers have been lost in the waters along the southeastern United States. The Sunshine State has about 1,200 miles of coastline. It has about 5,000 sunken vessels in the waters. With about 4,500 islands, the archipelago of the Keys stretches for about 200 miles. Nearly 1,000 sunken vessels rest along these islands. The predominance of wreckage has led to many islands gaining their names from events off their shores. Fowey Rocks was named in recognition of the British warship, the H. M. S. Fowey, which crashed in 1748. Alligator Reef is the site of the 1822 demise of the schooner, the U. S. S. Alligator.

Officials with the United Nations have estimated there are over three million sunken vessels along the global seabed. These sites can provide valuable insights into historical seafaring campaigns. Maritime archaeologists examine these sites and conduct recovery efforts. Many times, valuable artifacts are recovered, providing important information about historical activities.

The preservation of sunken vessels is determined by several factors. Water salinity, depth, temperature, acidity, tides, exposure and presence of sealife are among the major components affecting deterioration. Whether vessels have been buried by sand, and materials used during the construction phase are among the other factors.

Wooden components that are exposed to the elements decay quickly. After a century, the only wooden structures that remain underwater are those that were buried by sand or silt soon after sinking. An example of this is the Mary Rose, one of King Henry VIII’s warships. It sank in 1545 in the straights to the north of Isle of Wight. The wreckage was discovered in 1971, and salvaged in 1982. It has preserved many artifacts from Tudor times.

Seawater tends to decay vessels more quickly than fresh water. The high salinity corrodes elements made from iron. In addition, sea creatures quickly attack wooden components. Wood-boring animals, such as shipworms, can destroy entire hulls.

Wreckage along the seabed is also exposed to destructive tidal forces and wave action. The vessels that sink the deepest are less vulnerable to these forces.

Florida shipwrecks have an interesting history. The numerous vessels sunken in these waters provide valuable insights into maritime history. They are also interesting recreational sites, as they house a wide, unique diversity of marine life. Read more about: florida shipwrecks

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