Jaw-Dropping Shipwrecks You Need To See To Believe
What crosses your mind when you think about going on a boat? Most think about cruises, fun rides, and going on vacation. That's not the case for many who have traveled the open seas before. Many captains successfully cross the ocean blue, but many were not as lucky. Check out these astounding shipwrecks from all over the world. Some are more recent than others, but these wrecks are sure to shiver your timbers!
Magellan Strait
This strait in Chile is the cause of many shipwrecks, despite the 41 lighthouses along the coastline. The rocky coast wrecks many ships, including this one which has clearly been there for decades.
Point Reyes In Tomales Bay
This fishing boat named Point Reyes washed up to shore in Tomales Bay in California. The scenic background has led many photographers to this area.
Isla Raton, Honduras
This Honduras coast is a popular docking point for commercial cruise liners. Unfortunately, a few ships have been wrecked here, like this one pictured below. Its decaying shell looks particularly spooky.
Garapan, Saipan
Garapan, Saipan is home to the Maritime Heritage Trail. Tourists can see Japanese and U.S. ships and aircraft underneath the waters, which were left behind after the infamous Battle of Saipan. This boat, however, is more recent. It appears to have run aground in shallow waters near the beach
Wellington, New Zealand
In 1906, this iron steamer sunk by the south coast of Wellington, New Zealand during a torrential storm. It was buried beneath the sand on Fitzroy Beach, but was later excavated so tourists can visit.
Valtaki Beach, Greece
This ship is one of dozens of shipwrecks along the coast of Greece. In 1980, the boat urgently docked because the Captain became ill. It eventually was abandoned due to financial issues, where a storm took the abandoned ship to the beach where it can still be walked to during low tide.
Galloway, Scotland
This wreck is a testament to the tumultuous conditions on this Scottish coastline. Take a look at the person to the side of the photo to get a sense of how large this wreck is!
Gold Beach, Oregon
This ship served many purposes after it was constructed in 1881: it hauled freight, housed whalers, and was even a tugboat until it was retired in 1977. Eventually, the Mary D. Hume sund in 1985.
Silver Banks, Dominican Republic
This South Korean freighter called Polyexni is in the Atlantic Ocean, and it a popular tourist destination for whale watching.
Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia.
The SS Maheno was a hospital ship during WWI, but was wrecking in 1935 after 30 years of carrying wounded and sick soldiers.
Oulu, Finland
On the banks of Oulu, Finland sit the skeletons of three beached vessels. This one sits mostly covered by snow and ice except for the stern and bow.
Paradise Island, Nassau
Throughout the ages, the Bahamas have housed generations of shipwrecks. Somehow, this wreck was split in half, showing how tumultuous this area can be.
Canary Islands
Originally, The SS American Star was a Navy vessel, supposedly housing two German spies during WWII! It became a refurbished cruise ship in 1978, but eventually wrecked in 1994. It was designed and built by William Francis Gibbs.
Fraser Island
Another shot of the SS Maheno, which ended up being shipwrecked in 1935.
SS Maheno
Costa Concordia
This shot is of one of the largest cruise liners that has ever been abandoned after it ran into a rock formation and began sinking. The captain of the ship, Captain Francesco Schettino faced criminal charges, mainly because he waited to long to call evacuation and leaving before all passengers were evacuated.
Shipwreck
This picture is crazy. Even though the boat is rusted and parts have broken down, it's still floating!
Magellan Strait
Yet another boat claimed by the Strait of Magellan, this vessel has rusted severly over the years. While part of the rusty hull is still visible, this vessel is being slowly claimed by the water.
Abandoned Lake Barge
Not every shipwreck occurs in the ocean. This barge is partially frozen on a lakeshore, showing that even freshwater bodies can be treacherous. It’s estimated that there are around 30,000 shipwrecks in the Great lakes alone.
Taiwan
The Columbo Queen was wrecked due to Tropical Storm Linfa in 2009 when it hit a coral reef. Thankfully, the ship’s oil didn’t leak and destroy the surrounding wildlife.
Cape Verde
The Cabo Santa Maria ran aground in 1968. The boat, filled with goods, was raided by locals who badly needed supplies. None of the crew was harmed during the wreck. Today, the boat serves as a tourist attraction, and is accessible by a remote and rocky old road.
Sicily Isles
The MV Cita was wrecked during a storm in 1997. Thankfully, nobody in the crew was injured as the ship’s cargo swept away throughout the Celtic Sea.
Lake Michigan
The Northerner is one of the earliest wrecks on this slideshow, dating back to November 1868. A common destination for experienced divers, the wreckage can be seen below 103 feet of water.
Cabo Santa Maria
Another shot of Cabo Santa Maria
Hogsty Reef, Southern Bahamas
This photo shows the remains of the SS Richmond P. Hobson, which was a cargo ship during WWII that sank when it hit a reef.
Roderick Bay, Soloman Islands
This cruise ship, called the MS World Discoverer, was built in 1974 and sailed around the world to destinations such as Antarctica, Chile, and Argentina. It ran into an obstruction, causing it to be damaged beyond repair. It’s now a popular tourist site.
Belize
Belize is home to barrier reefs, which have claimed many boats over the years. This wreck is just one of the doomed vessels to get stuck upon the reefs.
Homebush Bay, Australia
The SS Ayrfield is one of many decommissioned boats located near Sydney. It’s now turned into a beautiful floating forest, covered with trees and other greenery.
Tomales Bay, California
Another shot of Point Reyes. Unfortunately, the ship was sent to even more ruin due to a fire that occurred mysteriously.
Shipwreck Beach
This beach in Zakynthnos, Greece is said to be one of the most photographed attractions in the country. This remote location, nicknamed Shipwreck Cove, is only accessible by boat
Isle of Mull
This Scottish Isle is home to many different shipwrecks, this one looking especially eerie.
Thunder Bay Island
The E.B. Allan hit the Newsboy when there was thick fog in 1971, causing them to collide. Thankfully, the ship’s crew was able to escape to another ship before it found its new home at the bottom of the ocean.
SS America
The interior of this ocean liner was designed by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, but ended up getting wrecked in 1994.
Below the Surface of Lake Huron
This schooner was damaged during a run near Cove Island was subsequently towed to Big Tub Harbor. The boat sank there in 1885. Today, the boat seemingly rises and falls beneath the water, depending on the water levels in the lake.
The Vasa
This boat was built in the 1620s in Sweden. Thankfully, most of the ship has been restored to it’s original grandeur.
Fraser Island
Another picture of the SS Maheno, which is a popular subject for photographers.
The Tiran Straits
There are dozens of shipwrecks in the Straits of Tiran, including this one. The Loullia is not a popular tourist attraction for divers.
The Loullia
Another shot of The Loullia.
Grytviken, Georgia
Theses whaling and sailing ships are now a part of a wildlife sanctuary.
Kish Island, Iran
Nicknamed the Greek Ship, this boat changed names multiple times before it wrecked in 1966.
Hamburg, Germany
The Uwe sank in 1975. Most of the parts in the ship were too big to salvage, so all that remains above water is the stern.
MV Rena, New Zealand
This ship was carrying too much cargo, which is why is began to sink, dumping oil and other hazardous chemicals in the ocean. This wreck caused one of the largest environmental disasters that New Zealand has ever seen.
Beached Shipwreck
All boats have a story to tell, but some don’t let go of their secrets so easily. This mysterious ship sits on a sandy beach. The hill has begun to fall apart, and sand is slowly overtaking the vessel.
Lincolnshire, England
This trawler is one of countless ships to port in the area, but this one washed ashore, never to return back to sea.
Newfoundland, Canada
This wreck was found in Conception Harbor.
Namibe, Angola
Namibe, Angola is home to the Independencia, a Dutch freighter ship. The ship, built in 1967, sits on a lonely beach in relatively good condition. Angola is actually home to many shipwrecks; the country even has a beach dubbed “Shipwreck Beach” where several ships can be seen.