Key Largo Divers to Commemorate Sinking of Spiegel Grove

One of the most famous shipwrecks in the Florida Keys sank off the coast of Key Largo 20 years ago this week. (Just 20 years?!) We usually think of ships sinking hundreds of years ago, laden with treasure. Our minds conjure up visions of pirates and harrowing storms bringing massive seafaring vessels to rest on the bottom of the ocean. Sure, those things happened. But these days, most recent shipwrecks happen on purpose. A sunken ship provides a fantastic opportunity for new life to thrive by means of an artificial reef, and many decommissioned military vessels have been deployed to different areas for just this purpose.

One such ship is the Spiegel Grove - a 510-foot Navy ship that was intentionally sunk 20 years ago this month. The Spiegel Grove had a long career that spanned 33 years - from 1956 to 1989. During that time, she was an active Naval vessel that took part in operations in line with the United States Cold War policy of containment. As such, the ship - which was constructed to carry cargo and vehicles necessary for amphibious landings - saw action all across the globe. When she was decommissioned in 1989, it was determined that she would make a good candidate for becoming an artificial reef, and she was sent to Virginia for detoxification. Not sure why a ship needs to detox? A ship can carry all kinds of toxic materials, from chemicals to gasoline, that can be seriously harmful to the ecosystem and any marine plants and animals in the new ecosystem that is trying to be created by sinking it. How long does it take to detoxify a Navy vessel? In the case of the Spiegel Grove, 12 years! The next step was an elaborate 11 month long deep clean to ensure its safety. Once all that was complete, she was sailed down to Key Largo to wait for her day of scuttling.

While she was waiting in the harbor, she actually began taking on water and started to sink prematurely! For 3 weeks she was belly up, with her hull above water, while local engineers tried to rectify the situation. Finally, they were able to sink her properly and she sank to the bottom of the ocean. Ever the feisty ship, however, she came to rest on her side (instead of the planned right side up position that is preferred), until Hurricane Dennis came through Key Largo in 2005. His winds brought currents so strong that the ship was swept into a sitting up position, and she has stayed that way for the past 17 years.

Today, the wreckage of the Spiegel Grove is home to hundreds of different types of wildlife and is a thriving coral reef ecosystem!

In honor of her 20th anniversary, the city of Key Largo is planning a series of events to remember the Spiegel Grove. One of the most highly anticipated events is a coordinated dive on March 15 down to the wreckage of the ship to give her an honorary medallion on her hull. Residents of Key Largo real estate or nearby islands who wish to take part are in for a treat!