Key Largo’s Oldest Wreck: City of Washington

Discover the historic City of Washington shipwreck on a guided scuba diving tour with Sail Fish Scuba, your gateway to unforgettable Key Largo scuba diving. This shallow, easily accessible site is part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and is perfect for novice to intermediate scuba divers. Located just off of Elbow Reef in Key Largo, Florida, the wreckage is spread across the seafloor, with exposed structural elements like drive shaft arches and engine mounts offering fascinating exploration opportunities. Visibility is typically excellent, with mild currents and vibrant coral growth adorning the scattered remains.

The site is also a photographer’s dream, offering unique compositions of wreckage encrusted with colorful marine life. Whether you're a wreck diving enthusiast or a history buff, the City of Washington delivers a rewarding underwater adventure. Explore exposed wreckage, colorful coral, and thriving marine life with expert guides.

Book your Key Largo scuba adventure today and experience one of the top wreck dives in the Florida Keys!

There’s so much to see underwater when you slow down and look closely. Keep your eyes open for the little details—tiny creatures tucked into the reef, fish hiding in plain sight, and marine life you might swim right past if you’re not paying attention. Sometimes the smallest discoveries make the best dives.

Key Largo Scuba Diver joins small group tour at the City of Washington

City of Washington in Key Largo, Florida — The City of Washington sank on Elbow Reef in 1917 and today rests in about 30 feet of water, making it one of Key Largo’s most accessible historic wreck dives.

The historic City of Washington wreck is a great site for PADI Wreck Specialty training and Advanced Open Water courses.

Small group scuba diving tours in Key Largo's National Marine Sanctuary at City of Washington wreck

Over time, the City of Washington wreck has become part of the reef itself, with coral growing across its remains and marine life gathering throughout the wreckage. Its shallow depth gives divers plenty of time to slow down, explore, and discover the details hidden throughout this historic Key Largo wreck.

City of Washington wreck in Key Largo, Florida — With much of the City of Washington wreck resting in just 20–32 feet of water, it’s an approachable wreck for divers who are newer to wreck diving.

City of Washington | Fast Facts

Unique Features Of The City Of Washington Shipwreck

Type: Iron-hulled steamship (later converted to coal barge)
Commissioned: 1877 to 1908 (merchant service), coal barge from 1911 to 1917
Date Grounded: July 10, 1917
Location: Elbow Reef, approximately 6 miles off Key Largo, Florida
GPS Coordinates: 25.1465°N, 80.2558°W
Max Depth: 25 feet (7.6 meters)
Shallowest Point: 18 feet (5.5 meters)
Length: 300 feet (91 meters)
Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Current Conditions: Usually mild; excellent visibility; suitable for training and casual dives

Unique Features Of The City Of Washington Shipwreck

What sets the City of Washington apart is its remarkable connection to one of America's pivotal historical events - the Spanish–American War. When the USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor in 1898, City of Washington played a heroic role by rescuing survivors and treating the wounded.

Its transformation from a high-speed steamship to a coal barge, and finally to a shipwreck, tells a complete maritime life cycle. Now part of the Shipwreck Trail, its archaeological significance and well-preserved features make it a standout dive in the Florida Keys.

The wreck’s accessibility and historical importance make it ideal for dive instructors, students, and history lovers alike.

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History Of The City Of Washington Wreck

Unique Features Of The City Of Washington Shipwreck

History Of The City Of Washington Wreck

Launched in 1877, the City of Washington was a prominent steamship operating between New York, Cuba, and Mexico. It gained historical significance during the USS Maine explosion, offering immediate aid and later serving as a troop transport during the Spanish-American War.

After decades of service, it was converted into a coal barge and met its end in 1917 when it ran aground on Elbow Reef during a storm. The wreck was deemed unsalvageable and gradually broke apart over time.

Today, this long-serving vessel rests on the sea floor as a popular dive site in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Key Largo’s Oldest Wreck: City of Washington

City of Washington | Fast Facts

Unique Features Of The City Of Washington Shipwreck

Unique Features Of The City Of Washington Shipwreck

Unique Features Of The City Of Washington Shipwreck

Unique Features Of The City Of Washington Shipwreck

Unique Features Of The City Of Washington Shipwreck

History Of The City Of Washington Wreck

Unique Features Of The City Of Washington Shipwreck

History Of The City Of Washington Wreck

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