Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina
South Carolina has an outstanding
selection of shipwrecks, including Civil War wrecks, World War II
wrecks, natural reefs and artificial reefs! Here are just a few.
The Sherman
Originally a 200 ft.
blockade-runner, this 120 year old post-Civil War wreck lies in 52 feet
of water about 6 miles from Little River Inlet. Always
surrounded by multitudes of marine life, the SHERMAN also offers a
variety of artifacts for the careful hunter. US belt buckles,
buttons, bottles and fossils have been found on this site,- a South
Carolina shipwreck popular with divers of all skill levels.
Barracuda Alley
This artificial reef consists of a
140 foot barge, adorned with concrete piping and steel A-Frames for
divers to swim through, and a dive platform for training, all nestled
comfortably close to a platoon of armored personnel
carriers! With a maximum depth of 63 feet, another great dive
site for divers of all skill levels. Spadefish and
Barracuda abound, and you never know what kind of marine life you may
see.
The "Governor"
This South Carolina shipwreck is a
200 foot Civil War paddle wheeler lies in 80 feet of water 22 miles off
the coast. While it's true identity remains elusive, the site
offers everything from brass artifacts to Southern stingrays and a
multitude of other marine life.
The Bill Perry
Part of the South Carolina
Artificial Reef Program, this is a dual site consisting of a tug-boat
and a military landing craft. The site attracts a variety of
fish, including grouper, snapper, and queen angels. Curious
sea turtles are also known to make an occasional appearance.
Angel's Ledge
This site is a live-bottom reef
ranging in depth from 40 feet to 110 feet. Known for the
beautiful queen angels it attracts, it is also popular for spear
fishing because of the abundance of grouper.
The Hebe and St. Cathan
Also known as the Twin Cities Wreck,
the Hebe, a Dutch merchant vessel, and the British sub chaser St.
Cathan collided during blackout conditions in 1942. Now two
of South Carolina's most popular shipwrecks for advanced divers, they
now rest 1/4 mile apart in 90-110 feet of water. This site is
known for artifacts, tropical and game fish, as well as Sand Tiger
sharks in the spring and fall.
The Raritan
This 251 foot steel freighter ran
aground on Frying Pan Shoals in February 1942. Broken in two
pieces in 90 feet of water, the bow and stern remain intact with lush
coral growth and abundant tropical marine life.
The City of Houston
After leaving New York with a cargo
of Christmas goods, this 290 foot passenger/freighter encountered a
fierce storm and sank in 90 feet of water, 55 miles off the South
Carolina coast. Extensive marine life and abundant artifacts
make this shipwreck well worth the trip.
The Pipe Wreck
This small unknown paddle wheeler
sank during the 1800's in about 80 feet of water.
The allure of being the person that discovers the identity of this
South Carolina shipwreck makes it a very special dive.
BP-25
This 160 foot British Petroleum
tanker was sunk as part of the South Carolina Artificial Reef
Program. The shipwreck serves as an "ocean oasis" for a rich
community of marine life 90 feet deep.
The 18-Fathom
Also known as the Ore Freighter,
this wreck's identity is also elusive. She probably sank in
the early 1900's. For advanced divers, the depth is 128 feet
deep, but for those who make the trip,- a truly unique and
exciting experience.
The Composite Wreck
This is a special South Carolina
shipwreck that few people have seen. The wreck is 175 feet
long and has ribs sticking out of the sand,- brass spikes and china
have been found. Lionfish have also been found on this
wreck. At 130 feet deep, this site is also for advanced
divers.