Treasure Coast · United States · Wreck
Paddle Wheeler Wreck
Civil War gunnels, boilers and pipes 75 m off the beach
The Paddle Wheeler is a Civil War paddle steamer that sank on sand in 4.5-6 m (15-20 feet) about 75 m (250 feet) from shore. Its gunnels stand about 1.2 m (4 feet) proud of the sand among boilers and pipes, and on calm, clear days the wreck shows from the beach as dark patches in the water. Tropical fish and lobsters live in the structure.
Also known as Civil War Paddle Wheeler.
Where it is and how deep
No published position for this site — the map shows Treasure Coast and its other sites; operators know the mooring.
The dive
On calm, clear days the wreck shows from the beach as dark patches in the water, which gives divers a line to swim out on. It lies about 75 m (250 feet) from shore on a sandy bottom 4.5-6 m (15-20 feet) deep, so the descent is short and lands close to the structure.
The gunnels protrude about 1.2 m (4 feet) from the sand, and quite a lot of structure is visible around them, including boilers and pipes with sharp edges. Tropical fish gather around the wreck and lobsters shelter in it. After a tour of the gunnels and boilers, divers head back across the sand to the beach.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Civil War paddle wheeler
- Type
- Paddle wheel steamer
- Cause
- Unknown — no published account of the sinking has been found
- Lies
- On sand in 4.5-6 m, gunnels about 1.2 m proud, with boilers and pipes
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Treasure Coast: Diveable all year and no month stands out; the water averages about 22 °C in January, the coldest month, and 29 °C in August.
Know before you go
- Boilers and pipes on the wreck have sharp edges; keep hands and hoses clear of the metal.
- Surge and limited visibility make the shallow structure harder to dive safely; use caution on those days.
Sources
- Beach Dive Sites - Fort Pierce to Stuart — Deep Six Dive & Watersports
- Diving & Snorkeling Hutchinson Island — Florida's Hutchinson Island
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