5 Shipwrecks Nearly Twice as Deep as the Titanic: Where They Are and How They Got There
From warships to ocean liners.
Exploring the ocean's depths reveals a hidden world of shipwrecks that lie far beneath the surface. While the sinking of the Titanic is well-known, there are shipwrecks even deeper than this iconic vessel, some are even nearly twice as deep as the Titanic. From warships to ocean liners, these submerged relics hold stories of maritime history and the tragedies that sent them to their watery graves.
The Titanic sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912, after colliding with an iceberg during its maiden voyage. Over the years, numerous expeditions have been undertaken to locate and explore the wreckage. The final resting place of the Titanic was discovered in 1985 by a team led by Dr. Robert Ballard. Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, the Titanic lies at a depth of around 12,500 feet (3,800 meters). This immense depth presents significant challenges for deep-sea exploration and adds to the mystique surrounding the ship. Read on to discover five ship wrecks that are nearly twice as deep as the Titanic.
Sitting at a depth of 16,896 feet (5,150 meters) in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, the SS City of Cairo rests as another deep-sea grave. According to the Daily Mail, the ship operated for only two years before being torpedoed by the Nazis while carrying 136 passengers. Of notable interest, the wreckage contained around 100 tons of silver coins, which were salvaged in 2015. These historic coins, worth an estimated £34 million, were part of the UK Government's commissioned recovery effort.
The SS Alpherat reigned supreme as the deepest shipwreck to have its cargo salvaged until 2011. According to Sky History, during the fateful month of February 1997, Blue Water Industries achieved a remarkable feat by retrieving a cache of blister copper and tin ingots from the depths of the SS Alpherat, resting at a staggering depth of 3,770 meters. This Dutch-owned merchant ship met its tragic fate on the 21st of December in 1943, succumbing to a bombing raid by enemy aircraft. However, a glimmer of hope prevailed amidst the chaos, as all 23 passengers and crew members miraculously survived. Discovery struck its chord when, approximately 150 miles south of Cape Palmas in West Africa, the resting place of the SS Alpherat was revealed on that momentous day in December 1997. While historical research and posterity often drive such expeditions, this particular endeavor centered around the retrieval of long-lost treasures rather than scholarly pursuits.
The SS Rio Grande, once a German World War II vessel, met its demise at the hands of US fighters. Located approximately 621 miles (1,000 kilometers) off the coast of Brazil, this shipwreck lies at a depth of 18,904 feet (5,762 meters). Despite the passage of time, remnants of the wreckage continue to wash up on the shore. The ship's historical significance persists, as it witnessed the ravages of war and now serves as a reminder of the past.
Following closely behind the USS Samuel B. Roberts, the USS Johnston is another notable shipwreck in the Philippine Sea. This World War II destroyer served valiantly in one of the largest naval battles in history. Discovered at a depth of 21,222 feet (6,468 meters), the wreck was found by experts from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's Research Vessel. The video footage revealed a battered and twisted hull, a haunting testament to its tragic fate.
The USS Samuel B. Roberts, known as 'Sammy B,' holds the record as the world's deepest known shipwreck. Located in the Philippine Sea, this warship rests at an astonishing depth of 22,523 feet (6,865 meters). It participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf during World War II and was critically hit by a battleship, resulting in its sinking. The wreckage now lies at a depth nearly four times greater than the Grand Canyon.
