Fort Lauderdale · United States · Wreck · Reef
SS Copenhagen
A state underwater archaeological preserve in 6–9 m of water
The SS Copenhagen is a 99-metre (325-foot) British cargo steamer that struck a reef off Lauderdale-By-The-Sea on 26 May 1900. Its remains lie in 6–9 m (20–30 ft) and have become part of the Pompano Dropoff Reef. It is one of 11 Florida underwater archaeological preserves and is popular with both divers and snorkelers.
Where it is and how deep
26.2055° N, 80.0851° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
Charters from Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach and Fort Lauderdale run out to the wreck, which lies about 1.2 km (three-quarters of a mile) off Lauderdale-By-The-Sea on the eastern side of the Pompano Beach Drop-off. The remains sit in 6–9 m (20–30 ft) of water, what is left of the steel structure has become part of the reef, and a plaque marks the south end of the site.
Spiny lobsters and tropical fish live among the remains of the 99 m (325 ft) hull, and divers sometimes find small lumps of coal and spent ammunition shells, traces of the cargo and of the wartime target practice that followed the wreck. A map of the wreck printed on plastic paper, made to be taken underwater to identify the parts of the ship, is available at Town Hall and local dive shops.
The wreck
- Vessel
- SS Copenhagen
- Type
- British steel cargo steamer
- Length
- 99 m (325 ft)
- Built
- 1898
- Sunk
- 1900
- Cause
- Struck a reef off Lauderdale-By-The-Sea while bound for Cuba
- Lies
- Remains form part of the Pompano Dropoff Reef in 6–9 m (20–30 ft)
The SS Copenhagen was built in England and launched in 1898. On 20 May 1900 it left Philadelphia for Cuba with 5,000 tons of coal, and six days later struck a reef in 25 feet (8 m) of water off present-day Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. Most of the cargo was removed, and the hull stayed above water for decades and served as a target for US Navy pilots in the Second World War. It became Florida's fifth shipwreck preserve in June 1994 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Good |
Season follows Fort Lauderdale: Diving runs year round; hurricane season is June to November, with September and October the likeliest months for a major storm.
Dive videos
Shipwreck Scuba Dive: SS Copenhagen in Pompano Beach, Florida · Resist The Grind on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is the SS Copenhagen wreck?+
The remains lie in 6–9 m (20–30 ft) of water off Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, shallow enough for snorkelers as well as divers.
How do divers reach the SS Copenhagen?+
By boat. Local dive charters from Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach and Fort Lauderdale often visit the wreck, and some beach divers swim out to it.
Sources
- SS Copenhagen — Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
- Snorkeling & Scuba Diving — Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
- South Florida Wrecks — Sea Experience
- SS Copenhagen (Wreck) — Scubago
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