North Carolina Shipwrecks & Artificial Reefs - Fishing & Scuba Diving

North Carolina's coast, often referred to as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic," is home to more than 2,000 shipwrecks due to the region's treacherous waters, unpredictable storms, and historical conflicts. Below is a detailed list of 30 notable shipwrecks, their GPS locations, historical significance, fishing potential, and diving information, including depth and visibility.

Shipwrecks & Artificial Reef Google Map Locations: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BgyZ929tnmgu6KPg6

1. USS Monitorwas

• Location: 35°00.7′N 75°24.7′W
• History: A famous Civil War ironclad, the USS Monitor sank during a storm in 1862 off Cape Hatteras.
• Fishing: Often a popular spot for anglers, you'll find species like black sea bass and amberjack around the wreck.
• Diving: Allowed; depth is around 240 feet with visibility ranging from 30-60 feet, ideal for advanced divers.

2. Huron

• Location: 35°15′46″N 75°31′26″W
• History: The USS Huron, a steam-powered sloop, ran aground in 1877 near Nags Head.
• Fishing: Expect to catch flounder and king mackerel.
• Diving: Accessible to divers at a depth of 20 feet. Visibility is around 20-30 feet.

3. The Papoose

• Location: 34°11′31″N 76°48′30″W
• History: A tanker was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1942 during WWII.
• Fishing: Great for grouper, snapper, and amberjack.
• Diving: Situated at 120 feet with 50-100 feet visibility, popular among recreational divers.

4. The Aeolus

• Location: 34°07.15′N 76°41.44′W
• History: Sunk in 1988 as an artificial reef.
• Fishing: Species like barracuda and cobia are abundant.
• Diving: Depth is around 110 feet with excellent visibility up to 100 feet. Best for advanced divers.

5. U-352

• Location: 34°12′N 76°42′W
• History: A German U-boat sunk by the Coast Guard in 1942.
• Fishing: Provides habitat for sea bass and amberjack.
• Diving: Depth of 115 feet; visibility often 40-70 feet. Diving is permitted, but experience is required due to depth.

6. SS Tarpon

• Location: 34°19′24″N 77°24′19″W
• History: A cargo ship lost in 1937 due to a storm.
• Fishing: A hot spot for red drum and flounder.
• Diving: Depth ranges from 70 to 90 feet. Visibility is around 20-40 feet.

7. The Spar

• Location: 34°09′20″N 76°41′45″W
• History: A WWII-era Coast Guard cutter sunk as an artificial reef in 2004.
• Fishing: King mackerel and barracuda are commonly caught.
• Diving: Depth is about 110 feet, with clear visibility up to 100 feet.

8. Indra

• Location: 34°40′00″N 76°59′00″W
• History: A former Navy landing craft support ship, it was sunk in 1992 as an artificial reef.
• Fishing: Grouper and snapper can be found in abundance.
• Diving: At a depth of 65 feet, the wreck offers good visibility up to 50 feet, suitable for intermediate divers.

9. Suloide

• Location: 34°23′50″N 76°40′42″W
• History: Sunk during a storm in 1943.
• Fishing: Black sea bass and sheepshead are often caught.
• Diving: Depth is 50 feet, with visibility up to 40 feet, making it a perfect wreck for beginner divers.

10. The Hesperides

• Location: 34°17′N 76°41′W
• History: A Spanish warship lost in 1913.
• Fishing: Abundant populations of amberjack and cobia.
• Diving: Depth is 90 feet with visibility ranging from 60-100 feet.

11. Empire Gem

• Location: 34°14′N 76°25′W
• History: A British tanker torpedoed during WWII in 1942.
• Fishing: Popular with anglers for large grouper and snapper.
• Diving: Depth is about 140 feet; advanced divers only. Visibility varies between 50-80 feet.

12. Caribsea

• Location: 34°59′00″N 75°21′30″W
• History: A freighter sunk by a German U-boat in 1942.
• Fishing: Known for mahi-mahi and tuna.
• Diving: Depth is about 90 feet with 60-80 feet visibility.

13. John D. Gill

• Location: 34°02′N 76°42′W
• History: A WWII tanker sunk by U-boat torpedoes.
• Fishing: Great for black sea bass and amberjack.
• Diving: Depth is around 100 feet with visibility between 40-70 feet.

14. The Proteus

• Location: 34°14′15″N 76°34′10″W
• History: A passenger steamship sunk in 1918.
• Fishing: Grouper and cobia are plentiful.
• Diving: Depth of 120 feet; visibility ranges from 50-100 feet.

15. USS Schurz

• Location: 34°14′00″N 76°33′50″W
• History: A WWI-era warship lost after colliding with another ship.
• Fishing: Abundant with snapper and grouper.
• Diving: Depth is 110 feet, with visibility up to 100 feet.

16. The Hutton

• Location: 34°34′10″N 76°47′35″W
• History: A WWII tanker was sunk by a U-boat attack.
• Fishing: Commonly catches of amberjack and barracuda.
• Diving: Depth is about 100 feet; visibility ranges from 40-80 feet.

17. Atlas

• Location: 34°32′10″N 76°39′10″W
• History: Another victim of U-boat attacks during WWII.
• Fishing: Grouper and snapper are abundant.
• Diving: Depth is about 130 feet; visibility ranges from 60-100 feet.

18. Titan

• Location: 34°33′N 76°47′W
• History: A steamer lost in 1927.
• Fishing: Black sea bass and snapper are common.
• Diving: At a depth of 90 feet, visibility often ranges between 50-80 feet.

19. Cato

• Location: 35°11′N 75°31′W
• History: Sunk during a gale in 1916.
• Fishing: Provides ample opportunities for amberjack and grouper.
• Diving: Depth is 90 feet with visibility ranging from 40-60 feet.

20. The Raritan

• Location: 34°32′10″N 76°39′10″W
• History: Sunk by a mine in 1942.
• Fishing: Large populations of grouper and snapper.
• Diving: Depth is about 130 feet, visibility varies from 60-100 feet.

21. W.E. Hutton

• Location: 34°17′N 76°32′W
• History: A WWII-era wreck victim to a German U-boat.
• Fishing: King mackerel and cobia are abundant.
• Diving: At a depth of 120 feet, visibility ranges between 40-60 feet.

22. Ario

• Location: 34°20′N 76°20′W
• History: Lost during WWII in 1942.
• Fishing: Common for grouper and snapper.
• Diving: Depth of 110 feet; visibility up to 100 feet.

23. Nevada

• Location: 34°12′N 76°42′W
• History: A tugboat that sank during WWII.
• Fishing: Popular for black sea bass and barracuda.
• Diving: Situated at a depth of 85 feet, visibility ranges from 50-80 feet. Suitable for recreational divers.

24. Advance

• Location: 35°20′N 75°28′W
• History: A Civil War-era blockade runner sunk in 1864 off Cape Hatteras.
• Fishing: Anglers catch flounder, kingfish, and sea bass.
• Diving: At a depth of 25 feet, it’s accessible to beginners. Visibility is around 20-30 feet.

25. Normannia

• Location: 34°36′N 76°36′W
• History: A Norwegian freighter sunk by a U-boat in 1942.
• Fishing: Grouper and snapper species dominate the site.
• Diving: 110 feet deep with visibility ranging from 40-80 feet. Recommended for experienced divers.

26. Atlas

• Location: 34°23′50″N 76°40′42″W
• History: A tanker torpedoed by German U-boat U-552 in 1942.
• Fishing: King mackerel and amberjack are abundant.
• Diving: Depth is 125 feet with visibility between 60-100 feet. Ideal for advanced divers.

27. British Splendour

• Location: 34°14′N 76°20′W
• History: This British tanker was sunk during WWII by a German U-boat.
• Fishing: Expect to catch cobia, barracuda, and king mackerel.
• Diving: Depth of 100 feet, with visibility up to 80 feet. Best suited for advanced divers.

28. San Delfino

• Location: 34°34′10″N 76°47′35″W
• History: A British steamship was torpedoed in 1941 by U-boat U-203.
• Fishing: Grouper and snapper are commonly found here.
• Diving: At a depth of 120 feet, visibility ranges from 50-100 feet, making it a challenging but rewarding dive.

29. Queen Anne’s Revenge

• Location: 34°41′42″N 76°40′26″W
• History: This infamous ship, captained by the pirate Blackbeard, ran aground in 1718.
• Fishing: While not a fishing hotspot, its historical significance attracts divers and tourists.
• Diving: Depth of about 20 feet, with visibility around 30-50 feet. Great for history buffs and beginner divers.

30. HMS Bedfordshire

• Location: 35°09′30″N 75°31′20″W
• History: A British WWII warship sunk by a German U-boat in 1942.
• Fishing: Grouper and amberjack are common near this wreck.
• Diving: The wreck sits at a depth of 100 feet, with visibility often ranging from 40-80 feet. Suitable for experienced divers.

North Carolina’s shipwrecks offer rich opportunities for both diving and fishing. Whether you're an experienced diver or a beginner, there are shipwrecks at varying depths to explore. Some wrecks, like the USS Monitor and U-352, require advanced diving skills due to their depth and conditions, while others, like Queen Anne’s Revenge, are suitable for beginners and history buffs.

Fishing around these wrecks is abundant, with species like grouper, snapper, black sea bass, and amberjack thriving around the structures. These wrecks provide excellent opportunities to hook a variety of fish while soaking in the rich history that surrounds them.

For divers, North Carolina’s wrecks offer some of the best diving conditions on the East Coast, with water visibility ranging from 20 to 100 feet, depending on the wreck’s location and depth. These wrecks are not only a treasure trove of marine life but also important historical sites, giving divers a unique glimpse into the past.

Whether you’re looking to explore underwater history or land a big catch, the waters off North Carolina have something to offer for everyone.

North Carolina Shipwrecks & Artifical ReefPhoto byD & D Pest Control Co. - Tom Davis