Ocean City has an enviable reputation for the many water sports that tourists and locals alike have the privilege to partake in. Among the list of radical water sports that the area offers is the thrill of wreck diving some of its long time losses at sea. Not only is the area blessed with a wide selection of wreck diving possibilities, but it satisfies the need of every diver with the wide ranges of depths that are available. Whether you are looking for wrecks with a deep rooted military history or just diving for the thrill of it, Ocean City has everything to meet your specific preferences. Below you will find a list with wreck sites that are open to the general public.
Kathleen Riggin
Depth: 55-65 ft
Difficulty Level: Perfect for advanced and new divers
This is a nice vessel to explore given the many details that have been preserved over time. It capsized on November 14, 1991 due to a rogue swell. A lot of marine life can be seen at the wreck and it is the chosen place by most sport divers that love to spearfish flounder and tautog. In winter, the temperatures can drop below 10°C, but in summer it can be anywhere between 22-24°C.
African Queen
Depth: 70ft
Difficulty: For advanced divers
This wreck is located at Gull Shoal off Ocean City, Maryland. It was a 590ft oil tanker built in 1955 that ran into difficulties after passing through a storm while on its way from Cartegena to Paulsburo. The stern is separated from the wreck and only the bow can be seen by divers. It is a great place to handpick large lobsters and fish.
J.R. Martin Tug
Depth: 70 ft
Difficulty: For advanced divers
This is a nice wreck to explore if you are looking for lobster and fish to take back with you. Penetration into the deck is easy given the many holes that are present. You can still take wonderful pictures of what is left of the 70 foot tug boat. It is located near the African Queen.
USS Blenny (SS-324)
Depth: 70 ft
Difficulty: For advanced divers
From the day she was built in 1944 to the day she was scuttled to become an artificial reef on June 7, 1989, the USS Blenny (SS-324) possesses a prestigious record of duty calls. She was a diesel driven submarine that was 311 feet long and displaced 2,415 tons. Her beam was 27foot and now she rests 15 miles offshore off the Ocean City inlet.
Saetia
Depth: 80-110ft
Difficulty: For advanced divers with experience in Mid-Atlantic waters
The Saetia was built by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation and displaced 2,873 tons. She was 322 ft long and was destroyed by a mine that was laid by the German submarine U-117 in 1918. Despite the destructive blow, all of her crew was able to evacuate before being sucked to the waters. She has a 48 foot beam and is a favorite for divers that love war relics.
Washingtonian
Depth: 90ft
Difficulty: For advanced divers with experience in Mid-Atlantic waters
This steam powered freighter lived a very short life due to a collision with Elizabeth Palmer which caused a great hole on her starboard side. The collision took place on January 26, 1915 when she was carrying sugar from Honolulu and there were no fatalities. She was built in 1914 and sank in 1915. Her powerful structure was able to displace 6,500 gross tons and she was 408 feet long and the proud owner of a 52 foot beam. She now lies upside down and is easy to penetrate. Large schools of fish can be found near to her and she is a favorite among divers that are looking to get large lobsters as their underwater prize.
Elizabeth Palmer
Depth: 90ft
Difficulty: For advanced divers with experience in Mid-Atlantic waters
The Elizabeth Palmer was a wooden schooner with a 48foot beam and powerfully displaced 3065 gross tons. She was 300 feet long and sunk after colliding with the Washingtonian in 1915. The impact of the blow and the buffeting of time have caused her pieces to be scattered in water; however, she is still visited by divers that are hunting for lobsters and tautog.
Manhattan
Depth: 90ft
Difficulty: For advanced divers with experience in Mid-Atlantic waters
This was a 228 feet long passenger-freighter that was built in 1879 and the proud owner of a 35 foot beam. She powerfully displaced 1,525 gross tons. Her sailing days ended due to a deep hole that placed in her steel plates after colliding with the Agnes Manning. All efforts were made to save the freighter, but she succumbed to the waters within few minutes. She is noted among divers that love digging wrecks and also those that are hunting for large fish. The hull plates are collapsed, but there are two anchors that are still at the wreck and can clearly be seen.
Marine Electric
Depth: 110-130ft
Difficulty: For advanced divers with experience in Mid-Atlantic waters
The unbending power of a storm caused large waves to form that eventually overpowered this 607foot long coal carrier. The crew on board tried their best to control the water that was getting into holes and causing the carrier to flounder. All efforts were rendered useless and she sank before a rescue helicopter could arrive.