Christ of the Abyss
25.12417902149065, -80.29666757320796
Christ of the Abyss is a 8 1/2 foot, 4,000 pound bronze sculpture of Jesus Christ that stands in 25 feet of water off of Key Largo, Florida. It is located near Dry Rocks, about six miles east-northeast of the Key Largo Cut, in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The Christ Statue is one of the most famous and visited underwater sites on earth, accessible to divers and snorkelers alike! Shallow high profile spur and groove coral formations are surrounded by relatively flat, coral and sponge encrusted hard bottom, and sand. Large Spotted Eagle Rays and Southern Stingrays are often sighted near the sandy perimeter. This reef is a very shallow dome shaped reef which breaks the surface at low tide on the landward side, and slopes to 25 feet on the seaward side. The statue is one of three cast from a mold by an Italian sculptor Guido Galletti. It was originally made for Egidi Cressi, the dive equipment manufacturer and later donated to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in 1966. The original “Il Christo Degli Abissi” statue was placed in the Mediterranean Sea off Genoa, Italy, in 1954. In 1961, a second statue “Christ of the Deep” was cast from the same mold. The Cressi family of Italy donated the statue to the Underwater Society of America, which in turn donated it to the Florida State Park Service, in recognition of the conservation efforts involved in the creation of America’s first underwater park.
Carysfort reef
25.219795554276654, -80.21149511989141
Carysfort Reef is one of the best developed reef systems in the Keys, and contains a wide variety of reef features including well-developed stands of elkhorn coral. Reef development is enhanced by the water quality, temperature, and salinities of the Gulf Stream, which sweeps close to the seaward edge of the reef.
Located ENE of the tower is “Carysfort Trench” (a.k.a., “Caryfort Wall”), a beautiful wall of Staghorn, Brain, and Sheet corals. The wall drops 65-80 feet to a sandy bottom. Five cannons from the 1800s rest in 15 feet of water approximately 1/2 mile to the north of the tower. And two large anchors thought to be from an 1800s frigate rest in 30-40 feet of water four hundred yards NNW of the tower.
molasses reef
25.014678407610443, -80.37868161690662
Hundreds of species of critters can be found on Molasses reef, and most of the corals found in the Caribbean are represented here: elkhorn, staghorn, star, brain and fire corals, as well as many soft corals like sea fans, gorgonians. Numerous corals and several species of sponges creates a beautiful and vibrant underwater landscape. In the nooks and crannies of the many coral heads found on the reef you can find Nurse sharks, coral crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and Green Moray eels. Colorful snappers, angelfish, spadefish, parrotfish and smaller tropical fish are all common sights on the reef. Sea turtles, hawksbill & loggerheads, are also common. The Caribbean Reef Shark is also seen frequently on the reef. Southern Stingrays, as well as Skates, are found in the sandy bottom areas between the coral heads. The Keys are also known for the “schooling fishes”, such as grunts, goatfish, and spadefish, which frequent the Florida Keys reef track.
Broken Barge
25.177347671290317, -80.34667978376795
This old barge was washed up aground in a storm and never recovered. It is now located in Garden Cove just outside the channel markers interring North Creek to Largo Sound. This is a shallow area ideal for snorkeling and light tackle fishing as it is home to lots of tropical fish and marine life. Use caution while snorkeling this location though as there is plenty of rusty pieces and fishing tackle left over from people to get snagged on.
White Banks
25.052150549189196, -80.33210263069151
The Norwegian merchant freighter Benwood (360’x51′) was under the command of Captain Torbjørn Skjelbred on the night of 9 April 1942. She was on a routine voyage from Tampa Bay, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia carrying a load of phosphate rock. That same evening, the Robert C. Tuttle (544’x70′) was en route to Atreco, Texas, under the command of Captain Martin Johansen. Due to the threat of attack by German U-boats in the area, the two ships were completely blacked out, each keeping the Florida coastal lights three miles abeam (Benwood) and one and a half miles abeam (Robert C. Tuttle). It is reported that at 12:45 a.m. the Robert C. Tuttle sighted a black object ahead of the ship and turned starboard after signaling “I intend to turn starboard.” with one blow of the ship’s whistle. There was no response from the other ship. At 12:50 a.m., the Benwood reported to have sighted a black object off her starboard. She sounded the ship’s whistle twice indicating, “I intend to turn port.” There was no response. It is believed that the two ships were now unwittingly on a collision course with each other. Just before the collision, Captain Skjelbred made last-minute efforts to avoid the Robert C. Tuttle by ordering the engine full astern (fastest reverse). Moments later, the bow of the Benwood punched into the Robert C. Tuttle just aft of the port side bow, above the waterline. This caused the bow of the Benwood to collapse upon itself. The Benwood began taking on water at a brisk rate. Captain Skjelbred turned hard for shore, attempting to save the ship by grounding, but some time between 1:10 and 2:00 a.m. was forced to abandon ship. The Benwood came to rest stern-to on a sandy slope in approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) to 45 feet (14 m) of water between Dixie Shoals (to the north) and French Reef (to the south) off of Key Largo, Florida.
Dry rocks
25.052150549189196, -80.33210263069151
The Norwegian merchant freighter Benwood (360’x51′) was under the command of Captain Torbjørn Skjelbred on the night of 9 April 1942. She was on a routine voyage from Tampa Bay, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia carrying a load of phosphate rock. That same evening, the Robert C. Tuttle (544’x70′) was en route to Atreco, Texas, under the command of Captain Martin Johansen. Due to the threat of attack by German U-boats in the area, the two ships were completely blacked out, each keeping the Florida coastal lights three miles abeam (Benwood) and one and a half miles abeam (Robert C. Tuttle). It is reported that at 12:45 a.m. the Robert C. Tuttle sighted a black object ahead of the ship and turned starboard after signaling “I intend to turn starboard.” with one blow of the ship’s whistle. There was no response from the other ship. At 12:50 a.m., the Benwood reported to have sighted a black object off her starboard. She sounded the ship’s whistle twice indicating, “I intend to turn port.” There was no response. It is believed that the two ships were now unwittingly on a collision course with each other. Just before the collision, Captain Skjelbred made last-minute efforts to avoid the Robert C. Tuttle by ordering the engine full astern (fastest reverse). Moments later, the bow of the Benwood punched into the Robert C. Tuttle just aft of the port side bow, above the waterline. This caused the bow of the Benwood to collapse upon itself. The Benwood began taking on water at a brisk rate. Captain Skjelbred turned hard for shore, attempting to save the ship by grounding, but some time between 1:10 and 2:00 a.m. was forced to abandon ship. The Benwood came to rest stern-to on a sandy slope in approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) to 45 feet (14 m) of water between Dixie Shoals (to the north) and French Reef (to the south) off of Key Largo, Florida.
north dry rocks
25.052150549189196, -80.33210263069151
The Norwegian merchant freighter Benwood (360’x51′) was under the command of Captain Torbjørn Skjelbred on the night of 9 April 1942. She was on a routine voyage from Tampa Bay, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia carrying a load of phosphate rock. That same evening, the Robert C. Tuttle (544’x70′) was en route to Atreco, Texas, under the command of Captain Martin Johansen. Due to the threat of attack by German U-boats in the area, the two ships were completely blacked out, each keeping the Florida coastal lights three miles abeam (Benwood) and one and a half miles abeam (Robert C. Tuttle). It is reported that at 12:45 a.m. the Robert C. Tuttle sighted a black object ahead of the ship and turned starboard after signaling “I intend to turn starboard.” with one blow of the ship’s whistle. There was no response from the other ship. At 12:50 a.m., the Benwood reported to have sighted a black object off her starboard. She sounded the ship’s whistle twice indicating, “I intend to turn port.” There was no response. It is believed that the two ships were now unwittingly on a collision course with each other. Just before the collision, Captain Skjelbred made last-minute efforts to avoid the Robert C. Tuttle by ordering the engine full astern (fastest reverse). Moments later, the bow of the Benwood punched into the Robert C. Tuttle just aft of the port side bow, above the waterline. This caused the bow of the Benwood to collapse upon itself. The Benwood began taking on water at a brisk rate. Captain Skjelbred turned hard for shore, attempting to save the ship by grounding, but some time between 1:10 and 2:00 a.m. was forced to abandon ship. The Benwood came to rest stern-to on a sandy slope in approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) to 45 feet (14 m) of water between Dixie Shoals (to the north) and French Reef (to the south) off of Key Largo, Florida.
grecian rocks
25.052150549189196, -80.33210263069151
The Norwegian merchant freighter Benwood (360’x51′) was under the command of Captain Torbjørn Skjelbred on the night of 9 April 1942. She was on a routine voyage from Tampa Bay, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia carrying a load of phosphate rock. That same evening, the Robert C. Tuttle (544’x70′) was en route to Atreco, Texas, under the command of Captain Martin Johansen. Due to the threat of attack by German U-boats in the area, the two ships were completely blacked out, each keeping the Florida coastal lights three miles abeam (Benwood) and one and a half miles abeam (Robert C. Tuttle). It is reported that at 12:45 a.m. the Robert C. Tuttle sighted a black object ahead of the ship and turned starboard after signaling “I intend to turn starboard.” with one blow of the ship’s whistle. There was no response from the other ship. At 12:50 a.m., the Benwood reported to have sighted a black object off her starboard. She sounded the ship’s whistle twice indicating, “I intend to turn port.” There was no response. It is believed that the two ships were now unwittingly on a collision course with each other. Just before the collision, Captain Skjelbred made last-minute efforts to avoid the Robert C. Tuttle by ordering the engine full astern (fastest reverse). Moments later, the bow of the Benwood punched into the Robert C. Tuttle just aft of the port side bow, above the waterline. This caused the bow of the Benwood to collapse upon itself. The Benwood began taking on water at a brisk rate. Captain Skjelbred turned hard for shore, attempting to save the ship by grounding, but some time between 1:10 and 2:00 a.m. was forced to abandon ship. The Benwood came to rest stern-to on a sandy slope in approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) to 45 feet (14 m) of water between Dixie Shoals (to the north) and French Reef (to the south) off of Key Largo, Florida.
uss benwood
25.052150549189196, -80.33210263069151
The Norwegian merchant freighter Benwood (360’x51′) was under the command of Captain Torbjørn Skjelbred on the night of 9 April 1942. She was on a routine voyage from Tampa Bay, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia carrying a load of phosphate rock. That same evening, the Robert C. Tuttle (544’x70′) was en route to Atreco, Texas, under the command of Captain Martin Johansen. Due to the threat of attack by German U-boats in the area, the two ships were completely blacked out, each keeping the Florida coastal lights three miles abeam (Benwood) and one and a half miles abeam (Robert C. Tuttle). It is reported that at 12:45 a.m. the Robert C. Tuttle sighted a black object ahead of the ship and turned starboard after signaling “I intend to turn starboard.” with one blow of the ship’s whistle. There was no response from the other ship. At 12:50 a.m., the Benwood reported to have sighted a black object off her starboard. She sounded the ship’s whistle twice indicating, “I intend to turn port.” There was no response. It is believed that the two ships were now unwittingly on a collision course with each other. Just before the collision, Captain Skjelbred made last-minute efforts to avoid the Robert C. Tuttle by ordering the engine full astern (fastest reverse). Moments later, the bow of the Benwood punched into the Robert C. Tuttle just aft of the port side bow, above the waterline. This caused the bow of the Benwood to collapse upon itself. The Benwood began taking on water at a brisk rate. Captain Skjelbred turned hard for shore, attempting to save the ship by grounding, but some time between 1:10 and 2:00 a.m. was forced to abandon ship. The Benwood came to rest stern-to on a sandy slope in approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) to 45 feet (14 m) of water between Dixie Shoals (to the north) and French Reef (to the south) off of Key Largo, Florida.
Cannon Patch
25.052150549189196, -80.33210263069151
The Norwegian merchant freighter Benwood (360’x51′) was under the command of Captain Torbjørn Skjelbred on the night of 9 April 1942. She was on a routine voyage from Tampa Bay, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia carrying a load of phosphate rock. That same evening, the Robert C. Tuttle (544’x70′) was en route to Atreco, Texas, under the command of Captain Martin Johansen. Due to the threat of attack by German U-boats in the area, the two ships were completely blacked out, each keeping the Florida coastal lights three miles abeam (Benwood) and one and a half miles abeam (Robert C. Tuttle). It is reported that at 12:45 a.m. the Robert C. Tuttle sighted a black object ahead of the ship and turned starboard after signaling “I intend to turn starboard.” with one blow of the ship’s whistle. There was no response from the other ship. At 12:50 a.m., the Benwood reported to have sighted a black object off her starboard. She sounded the ship’s whistle twice indicating, “I intend to turn port.” There was no response. It is believed that the two ships were now unwittingly on a collision course with each other. Just before the collision, Captain Skjelbred made last-minute efforts to avoid the Robert C. Tuttle by ordering the engine full astern (fastest reverse). Moments later, the bow of the Benwood punched into the Robert C. Tuttle just aft of the port side bow, above the waterline. This caused the bow of the Benwood to collapse upon itself. The Benwood began taking on water at a brisk rate. Captain Skjelbred turned hard for shore, attempting to save the ship by grounding, but some time between 1:10 and 2:00 a.m. was forced to abandon ship. The Benwood came to rest stern-to on a sandy slope in approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) to 45 feet (14 m) of water between Dixie Shoals (to the north) and French Reef (to the south) off of Key Largo, Florida.
French Reef
25.052150549189196, -80.33210263069151
The Norwegian merchant freighter Benwood (360’x51′) was under the command of Captain Torbjørn Skjelbred on the night of 9 April 1942. She was on a routine voyage from Tampa Bay, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia carrying a load of phosphate rock. That same evening, the Robert C. Tuttle (544’x70′) was en route to Atreco, Texas, under the command of Captain Martin Johansen. Due to the threat of attack by German U-boats in the area, the two ships were completely blacked out, each keeping the Florida coastal lights three miles abeam (Benwood) and one and a half miles abeam (Robert C. Tuttle). It is reported that at 12:45 a.m. the Robert C. Tuttle sighted a black object ahead of the ship and turned starboard after signaling “I intend to turn starboard.” with one blow of the ship’s whistle. There was no response from the other ship. At 12:50 a.m., the Benwood reported to have sighted a black object off her starboard. She sounded the ship’s whistle twice indicating, “I intend to turn port.” There was no response. It is believed that the two ships were now unwittingly on a collision course with each other. Just before the collision, Captain Skjelbred made last-minute efforts to avoid the Robert C. Tuttle by ordering the engine full astern (fastest reverse). Moments later, the bow of the Benwood punched into the Robert C. Tuttle just aft of the port side bow, above the waterline. This caused the bow of the Benwood to collapse upon itself. The Benwood began taking on water at a brisk rate. Captain Skjelbred turned hard for shore, attempting to save the ship by grounding, but some time between 1:10 and 2:00 a.m. was forced to abandon ship. The Benwood came to rest stern-to on a sandy slope in approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) to 45 feet (14 m) of water between Dixie Shoals (to the north) and French Reef (to the south) off of Key Largo, Florida.
USCG Duane
25.052150549189196, -80.33210263069151
The Norwegian merchant freighter Benwood (360’x51′) was under the command of Captain Torbjørn Skjelbred on the night of 9 April 1942. She was on a routine voyage from Tampa Bay, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia carrying a load of phosphate rock. That same evening, the Robert C. Tuttle (544’x70′) was en route to Atreco, Texas, under the command of Captain Martin Johansen. Due to the threat of attack by German U-boats in the area, the two ships were completely blacked out, each keeping the Florida coastal lights three miles abeam (Benwood) and one and a half miles abeam (Robert C. Tuttle). It is reported that at 12:45 a.m. the Robert C. Tuttle sighted a black object ahead of the ship and turned starboard after signaling “I intend to turn starboard.” with one blow of the ship’s whistle. There was no response from the other ship. At 12:50 a.m., the Benwood reported to have sighted a black object off her starboard. She sounded the ship’s whistle twice indicating, “I intend to turn port.” There was no response. It is believed that the two ships were now unwittingly on a collision course with each other. Just before the collision, Captain Skjelbred made last-minute efforts to avoid the Robert C. Tuttle by ordering the engine full astern (fastest reverse). Moments later, the bow of the Benwood punched into the Robert C. Tuttle just aft of the port side bow, above the waterline. This caused the bow of the Benwood to collapse upon itself. The Benwood began taking on water at a brisk rate. Captain Skjelbred turned hard for shore, attempting to save the ship by grounding, but some time between 1:10 and 2:00 a.m. was forced to abandon ship. The Benwood came to rest stern-to on a sandy slope in approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) to 45 feet (14 m) of water between Dixie Shoals (to the north) and French Reef (to the south) off of Key Largo, Florida.
USS Spiegel Grove
25.052150549189196, -80.33210263069151
The Norwegian merchant freighter Benwood (360’x51′) was under the command of Captain Torbjørn Skjelbred on the night of 9 April 1942. She was on a routine voyage from Tampa Bay, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia carrying a load of phosphate rock. That same evening, the Robert C. Tuttle (544’x70′) was en route to Atreco, Texas, under the command of Captain Martin Johansen. Due to the threat of attack by German U-boats in the area, the two ships were completely blacked out, each keeping the Florida coastal lights three miles abeam (Benwood) and one and a half miles abeam (Robert C. Tuttle). It is reported that at 12:45 a.m. the Robert C. Tuttle sighted a black object ahead of the ship and turned starboard after signaling “I intend to turn starboard.” with one blow of the ship’s whistle. There was no response from the other ship. At 12:50 a.m., the Benwood reported to have sighted a black object off her starboard. She sounded the ship’s whistle twice indicating, “I intend to turn port.” There was no response. It is believed that the two ships were now unwittingly on a collision course with each other. Just before the collision, Captain Skjelbred made last-minute efforts to avoid the Robert C. Tuttle by ordering the engine full astern (fastest reverse). Moments later, the bow of the Benwood punched into the Robert C. Tuttle just aft of the port side bow, above the waterline. This caused the bow of the Benwood to collapse upon itself. The Benwood began taking on water at a brisk rate. Captain Skjelbred turned hard for shore, attempting to save the ship by grounding, but some time between 1:10 and 2:00 a.m. was forced to abandon ship. The Benwood came to rest stern-to on a sandy slope in approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) to 45 feet (14 m) of water between Dixie Shoals (to the north) and French Reef (to the south) off of Key Largo, Florida.
Conch Reef
25.052150549189196, -80.33210263069151
The Norwegian merchant freighter Benwood (360’x51′) was under the command of Captain Torbjørn Skjelbred on the night of 9 April 1942. She was on a routine voyage from Tampa Bay, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia carrying a load of phosphate rock. That same evening, the Robert C. Tuttle (544’x70′) was en route to Atreco, Texas, under the command of Captain Martin Johansen. Due to the threat of attack by German U-boats in the area, the two ships were completely blacked out, each keeping the Florida coastal lights three miles abeam (Benwood) and one and a half miles abeam (Robert C. Tuttle). It is reported that at 12:45 a.m. the Robert C. Tuttle sighted a black object ahead of the ship and turned starboard after signaling “I intend to turn starboard.” with one blow of the ship’s whistle. There was no response from the other ship. At 12:50 a.m., the Benwood reported to have sighted a black object off her starboard. She sounded the ship’s whistle twice indicating, “I intend to turn port.” There was no response. It is believed that the two ships were now unwittingly on a collision course with each other. Just before the collision, Captain Skjelbred made last-minute efforts to avoid the Robert C. Tuttle by ordering the engine full astern (fastest reverse). Moments later, the bow of the Benwood punched into the Robert C. Tuttle just aft of the port side bow, above the waterline. This caused the bow of the Benwood to collapse upon itself. The Benwood began taking on water at a brisk rate. Captain Skjelbred turned hard for shore, attempting to save the ship by grounding, but some time between 1:10 and 2:00 a.m. was forced to abandon ship. The Benwood came to rest stern-to on a sandy slope in approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) to 45 feet (14 m) of water between Dixie Shoals (to the north) and French Reef (to the south) off of Key Largo, Florida.
mosquito bank
25.052150549189196, -80.33210263069151
The Norwegian merchant freighter Benwood (360’x51′) was under the command of Captain Torbjørn Skjelbred on the night of 9 April 1942. She was on a routine voyage from Tampa Bay, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia carrying a load of phosphate rock. That same evening, the Robert C. Tuttle (544’x70′) was en route to Atreco, Texas, under the command of Captain Martin Johansen. Due to the threat of attack by German U-boats in the area, the two ships were completely blacked out, each keeping the Florida coastal lights three miles abeam (Benwood) and one and a half miles abeam (Robert C. Tuttle). It is reported that at 12:45 a.m. the Robert C. Tuttle sighted a black object ahead of the ship and turned starboard after signaling “I intend to turn starboard.” with one blow of the ship’s whistle. There was no response from the other ship. At 12:50 a.m., the Benwood reported to have sighted a black object off her starboard. She sounded the ship’s whistle twice indicating, “I intend to turn port.” There was no response. It is believed that the two ships were now unwittingly on a collision course with each other. Just before the collision, Captain Skjelbred made last-minute efforts to avoid the Robert C. Tuttle by ordering the engine full astern (fastest reverse). Moments later, the bow of the Benwood punched into the Robert C. Tuttle just aft of the port side bow, above the waterline. This caused the bow of the Benwood to collapse upon itself. The Benwood began taking on water at a brisk rate. Captain Skjelbred turned hard for shore, attempting to save the ship by grounding, but some time between 1:10 and 2:00 a.m. was forced to abandon ship. The Benwood came to rest stern-to on a sandy slope in approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) to 45 feet (14 m) of water between Dixie Shoals (to the north) and French Reef (to the south) off of Key Largo, Florida.
Pickles Reef
25.052150549189196, -80.33210263069151
The Norwegian merchant freighter Benwood (360’x51′) was under the command of Captain Torbjørn Skjelbred on the night of 9 April 1942. She was on a routine voyage from Tampa Bay, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia carrying a load of phosphate rock. That same evening, the Robert C. Tuttle (544’x70′) was en route to Atreco, Texas, under the command of Captain Martin Johansen. Due to the threat of attack by German U-boats in the area, the two ships were completely blacked out, each keeping the Florida coastal lights three miles abeam (Benwood) and one and a half miles abeam (Robert C. Tuttle). It is reported that at 12:45 a.m. the Robert C. Tuttle sighted a black object ahead of the ship and turned starboard after signaling “I intend to turn starboard.” with one blow of the ship’s whistle. There was no response from the other ship. At 12:50 a.m., the Benwood reported to have sighted a black object off her starboard. She sounded the ship’s whistle twice indicating, “I intend to turn port.” There was no response. It is believed that the two ships were now unwittingly on a collision course with each other. Just before the collision, Captain Skjelbred made last-minute efforts to avoid the Robert C. Tuttle by ordering the engine full astern (fastest reverse). Moments later, the bow of the Benwood punched into the Robert C. Tuttle just aft of the port side bow, above the waterline. This caused the bow of the Benwood to collapse upon itself. The Benwood began taking on water at a brisk rate. Captain Skjelbred turned hard for shore, attempting to save the ship by grounding, but some time between 1:10 and 2:00 a.m. was forced to abandon ship. The Benwood came to rest stern-to on a sandy slope in approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) to 45 feet (14 m) of water between Dixie Shoals (to the north) and French Reef (to the south) off of Key Largo, Florida.
