The wreck has broken up significantly since sinking in 1917, key structural elements like the keel, stern, and general hull shape remain identifiable, allowing divers to visualize the historical steamship. The wreck’s archaeology has been extensively studied and documented by researchers over the decades.

Article at a Glance

• The City of Washington was an iron-hulled steamship launched in 1877 for passenger transport and cargo trade between New York, Cuba, and Mexico.
• It was present during the 1898 explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, which helped trigger the Spanish-American War, and later used to transport troops during the conflict.
• The steamship was eventually converted into a coal barge and sank in 1917 on Elbow Reef off Key Largo, Florida after running aground while being towed.
• Today, the wreck site extends over 325 feet with the lower hull and keel still visible, though the sides have collapsed outward over time.
• The wreck lies in 20-32 feet of water just north of Elbow Reef lighthouse, making it accessible to divers of all levels.
• It features abundant marine life like lobster, eels, groupers, nurse sharks, turtles, and barracuda residing among the nooks and crannies.
• The City of Washington is part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Shipwreck Trail and a popular dive site known for its history, marine life, and relatively shallow depth.

City of Washington Shipwreck Location Coordinates and Depth

Depth

The wreck lies in 20 to 32 feet of water on the north end of the Elbow Reef barrier reef system.

Location Coordinates

The City of Washington shipwreck is located at GPS coordinates 25°08.788’N 80°15.355’W, just north of the Elbow Reef lighthouse in Key Largo, Florida.

What Do Scuba Divers Say About This Ship

• It is a “can’t-miss wreck” in Key Largo, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, with crystal-clear water no more than 30 feet deep revealing the lower hull of the steamship.
• The wreck features abundant, colorful marine life, with its many nooks and crannies holding lobster, eels, spotted drum, and other shy creatures. Large groupers and nurse sharks like the crevices in the ship’s hull.
• Divers can usually see turtles, barracuda, and tarpon in the water around the wreck. Pieces of the hull projecting into the water column are festooned with encrusting invertebrates like sponges and sea fans.
• The City of Washington is one of Key Largo’s most popular wreck-reefs, though in places it is barely discernible as a shipwreck. The hull forms a reef ledge that harbors snappers and grunts and provides a backdrop for nurse sharks and barracuda.
• It is a scattered wreck-reef containing substantial chunks of camouflaged, fish-packed structure. The wreck is popular for fish feedings, though it can get crowded with divers and visibility may be slightly lowered as a result.

What Kind of Marine Life Can Be Found on The Ship

The City of Washington shipwreck is home to a diverse array of marine life:

• There are around 80 species of fish found on the wreck.
• 14 species of stony corals and 5 genera of octocorals have been documented, with the fire coral Millepora alcicornis dominating the site in small colonies around 20-30 cm in diameter.
• Large predators like barracuda, moray eels, and nurse sharks are commonly seen, as they have been hand-fed by divers for years and are quite comfortable around humans.
• Other marine life includes lobster, spotted drum, and other shy creatures that find shelter in the wreck’s many nooks and crannies.
• Pieces of the ship’s hull projecting into the water column are covered in encrusting invertebrates like sponges and sea fans taking advantage of the excellent filter-feeding opportunities.
• Divers can often spot turtles, tarpon, and large groupers swimming around the wreck site as well.

The City of Washington supports a thriving reef ecosystem with a wide variety of tropical fish, invertebrates, and larger predators that have adapted to the wreck’s structure over the past century. Its shallow depth makes it an ideal habitat for many species.

Key Information

What Makes The City of Washington a Unique Diving Experience

1. Historical significance: The vessel was present during the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898, which helped trigger the Spanish-American War. It was later used to transport troops to Cuba during the conflict. This historical context adds an intriguing element to the dive.
2. Accessibility: The wreck lies in relatively shallow waters ranging from 15 to 32 feet deep, making it suitable for divers of all levels, including beginners. The shallow depth also allows for longer bottom times.
3. Marine life abundance: The wreck supports a thriving reef ecosystem with around 80 species of fish, 14 species of stony corals, and 5 genera of octocorals. Large predators like barracuda, moray eels, and nurse sharks are commonly seen, as they have been hand-fed by divers for years and are quite comfortable around humans.
4. Wreck exploration: While deteriorated, the hull and keel shapes are still visible, providing divers with an exciting glimpse into the ship’s past. The debris field spans an area of 325 feet in length, giving visitors plenty to explore.
5. Night diving: The City of Washington dive site, located approximately 550 yards northeast of Elbow Reef lighthouse, is an ideal spot for night diving. 

What is The Full History of This Ship

The City of Washington was an iron-hulled steamship launched on August 31, 1877 for use in passenger transport and cargo trade between New York, Cuba, and Mexico. When built, the vessel had two compound steam engines of 2,750 horsepower, with two masts for auxiliary power.

In 1889, the City of Washington was refitted with two triple expansion steam engines, which became the norm at the time to replace the much less efficient compound engines. The steamship’s moment in history came on February 15, 1898, when the USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor. The City of Washington was moored close by and suffered damage to its awnings and deck houses from flying debris, while its crew assisted in the rescue of the Maine’s surviving sailors and treated the wounded onboard. This was a final event leading to the Spanish-American War, during which the City of Washington was used as a transport ship carrying troops.

Following the war, the steamship returned to passenger and cargo runs to the Caribbean until its retirement in 1908. Three years later, The Luckenbach Steamship Company purchased the steamship, removed its cabins and steam machinery and converted it into a coal-transporting barge. On July 10, 1917, the tugboat Luchenbach #4 towing the barges City of Washington and Seneca ran aground on Elbow Reef. The tug and Seneca were soon refloated, but the City of Washington broke up and sank.

Today, the wreck site of the City of Washington extends well beyond its original 300-foot length and 38-foot breadth as the sides of the vessel have collapsed outward. The lower bilge section of the iron hull remains articulated, while the vessel’s bow is more fragmented than its stern where its propeller shaft tunnel is readily identifiable. The wreck is a popular dive site in the Florida Keys and is part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Shipwreck Trail.

What Historical Features Can Still Be Identified on The Wreck

Several historical features of the City of Washington steamship can still be identified on the wreck site:

• The lower bilge section of the iron hull remains articulated, providing a clear view of the ship’s keel shape.
• The vessel’s stern is less fragmented than the bow, allowing the propeller shaft tunnel to be readily identified.
• While greatly deteriorated, the overall hull and keel shapes are still visible, giving divers a sense of the ship’s original structure.
• The wreck site extends well beyond the steamship’s original 300-foot length and 38-foot breadth, as the sides of the vessel have collapsed outward over time.

So while the wreck has broken up significantly since sinking in 1917, key structural elements like the keel, stern, and general hull shape remain identifiable, allowing divers to visualize the historical steamship. The wreck’s archaeology has been extensively studied and documented by researchers over the decades.

What Safety Measures Are in Place for Divers Visiting the City of Washington Wreck

1. Rules and Regulations: Divers must familiarize themselves with the specific rules and regulations within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, where the wreck is located. This includes respecting marine wildlife and not harassing or taking any marine animals.
2. Proper Techniques for Shipwreck Diving: Divers should know the orientation of the wreck site and only penetrate the wreck if specifically trained and equipped to do so. They should also learn proper wreck diving protocols to minimize impacts on cultural resources.
3. Buoyancy Control and Streamlining: Mastering buoyancy control and streamlining equipment helps minimize the risk of entanglement or accidental disturbance of the bottom, which can harm the environment and historical artifacts.
4. No Collection of Underwater Souvenirs: Collection of natural and cultural items is regulated in sanctuaries and often prohibited or requires a permit. Divers should resist the temptation to collect shells, rocks, or other underwater artifacts, as they provide homes for sea creatures and good surfaces for plants and animals.
5. Marine Debris Removal: Divers are encouraged to carry away any trash they find, as litter poses a significant threat to the health and survival of marine organisms.
6. Guided Dives: Many dive operators, such as Silent World Dive Center, offer guided dives to the City of Washington wreck. These guides are experienced and knowledgeable about the wreck and can help ensure a safe and enjoyable dive experience.
7. Dive Planning and Briefing: Dive operators typically provide detailed briefings on the wreck site, including its history, layout, and potential hazards. They also help plan the dive to ensure that 

List of Dive Shops That Prove Diving Trips to This Shipwreck

Several dive shops in Key Largo, Florida offer diving trips to the City of Washington shipwreck:

1. Silent World Dive Center

• Offers guided dives to the City of Washington wreck
• Provides detailed briefings on the wreck’s history, layout, and potential hazards
• Helps plan dives to ensure divers are prepared and equipped for the conditions

2. Rainbow Reef Dive Center

• Runs daily dive trips to the City of Washington and other wrecks in the Florida Keys
• Provides equipment rentals and PADI certification courses

3. Horizon Divers

• Offers both scuba diving and snorkeling trips to the City of Washington and surrounding reefs
• Provides transportation from Miami and the Florida Keys

4. Conch Republic Divers

• Runs daily dive trips to the City of Washington and other popular sites in the Keys
• Offers equipment rentals, air fills, and PADI certification courses

5. Florida Keys Dive Center

• Provides guided dives to the City of Washington and other wrecks and reefs
• Offers PADI certification courses and equipment rentals

The Keys Wrecks

• USS Duane
• USS Spiegel Grove
• Thunderbolt
• City of Washington
• SS Benwood
• USNS Vandenberg
• Joes Tug
• Cayman Salvage Master