San Diego Wreck Diving

This page was created out of frustration from lack of good wreck diving information readily available on the Internet for the San Diego area.

This data can be confusing because MANY OF THESE WRECKS ARE DUPLICATES! That's because the data is taken from several sources, mostly NOAA and the California State Land Commission. The California State Land Commission generally misquotes most wreck positions hoping to protect them. Many of these wrecks have never been located. Considerable homework must be done to clear up the discrepancies. Some duplicates will be obvious since they have similar descriptions and are very close to each other.

Some of the positions for wrecks in the early 1900's and late 1800's are gross estimations. These positions were usually reported by survivors who mostly swam ashore. This is especially true for the wrecks around Point Loma.

Reliable positions are Green and unreliable positions are red.

This page can be used as a starting point. Good luck in finding a wreck. Please let me know if you find something and are able to confirm a location. And, if you've already been to one of these wrecks, please let me know so we can share the information. Even if an exact position is determined, it may take additional research to positively identify the site. My e-mail address is john.willis@navsoc.navy.mil.

Name: Unnamed (54) - Bombing Target
Position: 32° 32' 10.2'', -117° 12' 33.11'' WGS84
Sank: November, 21 1945
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Two other positions for this wreck are:
32 32 10.0, -117 12 30
32 32 10.2, -117 12 30

Name: Unnamed (51) - Bombing Target
Position: 32° 32' 42.19'', -117° 15' 27.12'' WGS84
Sank: August 1, 1952
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Another position reported for this wreck is:
32 32 42, -117 15 24

Name: Unnamed (49) - Bombing Target
Position: 32° 35' 30.19'', -117° 11' 03.11'' WGS84
Sank: November 21, 1935
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Name: Unnamed (46) - Wreck
Position: 32° 36' 28.19'', -117° 06' 47.1'' WGS84
Cause: Stranded
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Name: Unnamed (45) - Wreck
Position: 32° 36' 33.19'', -117° 07' 20.1'' WGS84
Cause: Stranded
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Name: Unnamed (42) - Wreck
Position: 32° 36' 43.19'', -117° 06' 43.1'' WGS84
Cause: Stranded
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Name: Unnamed (41) - Wreck
Position: 32° 37' 33.19'', -117° 14' 17.12'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Depth: 96 feet
Owner: U.S. Navy
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

WRECKAGE MARKED BY TWO BUOYS AT APPROX. 32 37 33N, 117 14 14W, NAD 27 ON October 3, 1945.

REPORTED SCATTERED WRECKAGE.

Name: High Seas - Purse seiner Fishing Vessel
Position: 32° 37' 39'', -117° 15' 09.8'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Built: 1945
Sank: 1970
Depth: 124 feet
Description: 128 feet long 392 Tons
Owner: Joe Goulart
Position Source: Local Divers
This position is considered to be very reilable

A wreck covered by 55' of water and marked by an unlighted gree and white bouy exists at approx. 32-37.6N, 117-15.0W.

On March 12, 1975 diver descended to the wreck at 100'. The wreck is on the gradual sloping bottom and sticks up from the bottom approx. 20'. It is a large wreck (approx. 150') encrusted with marine growth and is hardly recognizable as a metal structure. The mast was removed some time ago and reported depth of 55' over the wreck is no longer valid. Divers positioned the marker bouy over the least depth in pos. 32 37 38.57N, 117 15 02.88W. The least depth over the wreck at the time of observation was 93.2'. Because of the depth, this item is not considered a hazard.

Two divers dove this wreck around June 2004. They said ''the ship looks to be a barge with large I beam type steel construction. The width appears to be about 25-30 feet wide and the length? maybe 65 to 80 ft. It was really hard to judge. It is just outside of the main channel and I don't recommend this dive unless you have someone topside. It is layed out with some of the I beams about 3 ft high (enough to swim under).'' The position they reported was 32° 37' 39.0'' -117° 15' 9.8'' and 124 feet deep.

Other positions reported for this wreck is:
32 37 38.8, -117 15 6.9
32 37 36.0, -117 15 0.0
32 37 33.0, -117 15 0.0

The California State Land Commission states this wreck is at 32 37 00, -117 12 30, which is several miles to the south east.

The photo to the right is only an example of a typical Purse Seiner. It is not the actual boat that sank.

Name: Unnamed (39) - Wreck
Position: 32° 37' 42.19'', -117° 06' 33.11'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Sank: 1977
Depth: 20 feet
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

25FT CABIN CRUISER IS REPORTED SUNK AT APPROXIMATE POSITION 32-37.7N -117-06.5W IN 20FT OF WATER WITHIN A NEWLY DREDGED AREA AND REMAINS UNLOCATED.

Chart shows it a "Position Doubtful".

Name: Unnamed (38) - Obstruction
Position: 32° 37' 49.35'', -117° 06' 36.28'' WGS84
Sank: 1991
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

SATELLITE IMAGERY SUGGESTS THAT THE OBSTRUCTION IS VISIBLE AT THE WATERS EDGE. ITEM IS LOWER PRIORITY SINCE IT IS NOT IN THE MAIN CHANNEL.

Name: Unnamed (36) - Wrecks
Position: 32° 38' 00'', -117° 06' 59.31'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

COAST PILOT FIELD INSPECTION: NUMEROUS WRECKS OBSERVED. UPDATE WK NOTE AT 32 37 57N 117 06 56W.

Name: Unnamed (34) - Wrecks
Position: 32° 38' 16.8'', -117° 07' 25.8'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

NUMEROUS WRECKS OBSERVED.

Name: Unnamed (33) - Wreck
Position: 32° 38' 25.19'', -117° 07' 22.1'' WGS84
Sank: 11/28/54
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Name: Unnamed (32) - Wreck
Position: 32° 38' 32.67'', -117° 07' 15.57'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be reliable

WRECK CHARTED IN LAT 32 38.5 LONG 117 07.3 WAS NOT FOUND HOWEVER, A SIMILIAR WRECK WAS FOUND IN LAT 32 38.59N LONG 117 07.25W. THE WRECK WAS
LOCATED BY SEXTANT AND FIXES. NUMEROUS WRECKS.

Name: Unnamed (31) - Obstruction
Position: 32° 38' 43.19'', -117° 14' 10.12'' WGS84
Sank: April 11, 1945
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Name: Unnamed (53) - Bombing Target
Position: 32° 32' 10.2'', -117° 14' 03.12'' WGS84
Sank: 1946
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be unreliable

Some believe this bombing target may be the Radford. However, the NOAA database states this obstruction was place in 1946.

Name: Unnamed (29) - Barge
Position: 32° 38' 50.19'', -117° 09' 27.11'' WGS84
Sank: Mar 14, 1953
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Other positions reported for this wreck are:
32 38 50.0, -117 09 24
32 38 47.0, -117 09 22

Name: Unnamed (28) - Wreck
Position: 32° 39' 07'', -117° 12' 03'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Sank: 1972
Depth: 42 feet
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

A 23FT VESSEL SANK IN 42FT OF WATER AT 32 39.12N 117-11.99 W.

Name: Unnamed (24) - Wreck
Position: 32° 39' 25.19'', -117° 09' 01.11'' WGS84
Cause: Stranded
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Name: Unnamed (23) - Wreck
Position: 32° 39' 26.19'', -117° 14' 27.13'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Sank: 1978
Depth: 90 feet
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

A 47 FOOT FISHING VESSEL HAS SUNK IN POSITION 32 39.9N, 117 14.4W WITH 28 FEET OF WATER REPORTED ABOVE THE WRECKAGE. THE VESSEL IS UNMARKED AND WILL BE RAISED IN THE FUTURE.

CORRECTION: AN INCORRECT POSITION WAS GIVEN IN DATED 28 JUNE 1978, THE CORRECT POSITION IS 32 39 26N, 117 14 24W. IN ADDITION, THE WRECK WILL NOT
BE RAISED AND WILL REMAIN UNMARKED.

Name: Unnamed (20) - Instrument Array
Position: 32° 39' 31.1'', -117° 13' 42.7'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

20 FOOT SQUARE INSTRUMENT ARRAY 32-39-31.1N, 117-13-42.7W. A SUBMERGED CABLE WAS ALSO ADDED AT THIS TIME IN THE SAME AREA (32-39-31.1N, 117-13-42.7W TO 32-41-10.8N 117-13- 58.0W).

Name: Unnamed (19) - Wreck
Position: 32° 39' 39.2'', -117° 07' 56.5'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Sank: March 2002
Depth: 12 feet
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very reliable

Name: Unnamed (17) - Wreck
Position: 32° 39' 48.18'', -117° 14' 03.12'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Sank: 1984
Description: 19 feet long
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

A 19 FT VESSEL WAS REPORTED SUNK IN APPROX. 32 39.8N, -117 14.0W.

Name: California - Barkentine
Position: 32° 40' 00'', -117° 13' 57.13'' WGS84
Sank: February 1981
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

BARKENTINE, RAN AGROUND IN HEAVY FOG OFF PT. LOMA. ALL 54 PASSENGERS ESCAPED, SOME BY WADING ASHORE.

WRECK BUOY TEMPORARILY ESTABLISHED AN UNLIGHTED BLACK BUOY IN THE APPROXIMATE POSITION 32 40N 117 13.9W. A STROBE IS ATTACHED TO THE MAST OF THIS WRECK.

LIGHTED BUOY WR7A RED AND BLACK HORIZONTAL BANDED BUOY, TOP MOST BLACK WITH AN INTERRUPTED QUICK FLASHING GREEN HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY ESTABLISHED TO MARK A VESSEL SUNK AT 32 40N 117 13.9W. THE BUOY IS LOCATED 090T FROM THE VESSEL. THE UNLIGHTED BLACK STROBE HAS BEEN REMOVED.

Name: Unnamed (15) - Obstruction
Position: 32° 40' 19.19'', -117° 08' 02.11'' WGS84
Sank: February 7, 1955
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

This was probably removed when the bay was dredged.

Name: Unnamed (13) - Obstruction
Position: 32° 40' 43.49'', -117° 13' 57.3'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Depth: 9 feet
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very reliable

OBSTRUCTION AT 32 40 43.31N 117 13 54.14W REPORTED
CHART DEFICIENCY DURING OPR-411 (1969)-AFTER DIVE INVESTIGATION 22 TON CRANE WITH 55FT BOOM AND A 20' x 9' BASE COMPOSED OF 12 INCH H BEAMS AT ABOVE LOCATION, SPECIAL PURPOSE BUOY MARKING ITS POSITION.

WRECK REMOVED TO A DEPTH OF 9 FEET AND BUOY DISCONTINUED.

Name: Unnamed (6) - Unknown
Position: 32° 41' 50.18'', -117° 09' 12.11'' WGS84
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Name: Unnamed (5) - Wreck
Position: 32° 41' 57.53'', -117° 10' 05.61'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very reilable

WRECK LOCATED IN 32 41.9N 117 10.0W WITH SIDE SCAN SONAR AND DIVERS USED TO VERIFY AND OBTAIN LEAST DEPTH OVER WRECK. WRECK IS OF METAL CONSTRUCTION AND LIES ON A MUD AND SAND-SLOPING BOTTOM. THE SHALLOWEST END IS VERY NEAR PILINGS FROM A PIER THAT HAS BEEN REMOVED. THE WRECK EXTENDS NW FROM THE PILES TO DEEPER WATER. IT EXTENDS OFF THE BOTTOM 5' TO 8' AND IS PRIME MATERIAL FOR FOULING ANCHORS. THE SHALLOWEST END IS MARKED BY KELP AS ARE THE PILES. DEPTH FOR THE SHALLOW END IS 4.8' AND DROPS OFF TO THE DEEP END WHOSE DEPTH IS 15.8'.

Name: Unnamed (4) - Wreck
Position: 32° 42' 05.58'', -117° 10' 16.92'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Sank: 1983
Depth: 105 feet
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be reilable

WRECK AT 32-42-05.4N 117-10-13.8W, ADDED DANGEROUS WRECK, MAST A SAILBOAT IS REPORTED SUNK WITH APPROXIMATELY 3FT OF MAST ABOVE SURFACE AT 32 42.09N 117 10.23. THE MAST IS MARKED WITH A WHITE FENDER AND A FLASHING WHITE STROBE LIGHT.

Name: Unnamed (3) - Wreck
Position: 32° 42' 13.5'', -117° 10' 29.27'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Sank: 1985
Depth: 30 feet
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

WRECK IN APPROX. 32 42 13.3N 117 10 26.0W. THE SAN DIEGO BAY WRECK LIGHTED BUOY HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY ESTABLISHED AT APPROXIMATE POSITION 32 42 13.3N 117 10 26.0W TO MARK A SUNKEN WRECK. THIS BUOY IS A RED NUN WHICH SHOWS A QUICK FLASHING RED LIGHT.

Name: Unnamed (2) - Wreck
Position: 32° 42' 29.8'', -117° 13' 53.1'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Sank: 1989
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

WRECK AND LIGHTED BUOY AT 32 42 29.8N 117 13 53.1W.

Name: Unnamed (1) - Wreck
Position: 32° 43' 41.18'', -117° 12' 43.12'' WGS84
Cause: stranded
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Name: Unnamed (35) - Wreck
Position: 32° 38' 04.56'', -117° 06' 33.54'' WGS84
Position Source: Topo Map
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Unnamed (37) - Wreck
Position: 32° 37' 59.62'', -117° 06' 25.67'' WGS84
Position Source: Topo Map
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Name: Unnamed (43) - Wreck
Position: 32° 36' 40.32'', -117° 06' 55.08'' WGS84
Depth: 2 feet
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

Name: Unnamed (44) - Wreck
Position: 32° 36' 34.42'', -117° 06' 51.14'' WGS84
Depth: 2 feet
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

Name: Unnamed (30) - Wreck
Position: 32° 38' 46.22'', -117° 07' 36.39'' WGS84
Determined by: Scaling
Depth: 10 feet
Position Source: Nautical Charts
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

Name: Unnamed (27) - Obstruction
Position: 32° 39' 08.85'', -117° 08' 48.19'' WGS84
Determined by: Scaling
Depth: 27 feet
Position Source: Nautical Charts
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

Name: Unnamed (26) - Wreck
Position: 32° 39' 10.19'', -117° 07' 52.13'' WGS84
Depth: 11 feet
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

The chart shows that this has been reported as being removed. It also show it as "existance doubtful".

Name: Unnamed (25) - Obstruction
Position: 32° 39' 13.77'', -117° 07' 37.37'' WGS84
Determined by: Scaling
Depth: 3 feet
Position Source: Nautical Charts
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

Name: Unnamed (21) - Obstruction
Position: 32° 39' 31'', -117° 07' 50'' WGS84
Determined by: Scaling
Depth: 11 feet
Position Source: Nautical Charts
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

This obstruction is shown to be marked with a bouy.

Name: Unnamed (7) - Wreck
Position: 32° 41' 27.54'', -117° 14' 20.65'' WGS84
Determined by: Scaling
Depth: 2 feet
Position Source: Nautical Charts
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

Name: Unnamed (9) - Wreck
Position: 32° 41' 24.59'', -117° 14' 20.65'' WGS84
Determined by: Scaling
Depth: 2 feet
Position Source: Nautical Charts
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

Name: Unnamed (12) - Wreck
Position: 32° 40' 53.11'', -117° 14' 07.86'' WGS84
Depth: 24 feet
Position Source: Chart
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

Name: Unnamed (14) - Wreck
Position: 32° 40' 42.29'', -117° 13' 56.06'' WGS84
Determined by: Scaling
Depth: 48 feet
Position Source: Nautical Charts
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

Name: Unnamed (18) - Wreck
Position: 32° 39' 46.22'', -117° 14' 41.31'' WGS84
Determined by: Scaling
Depth: 45 feet
Position Source: Nautical Charts
This position is considered to be unreliable

The chart notes the mast may be above the waterline.

Name: Polaris Missle Tower
Position: 32° 32' 28.6'', -117° 14' 49.9''
Sank: 1993
Depth: 162 feet
Owner: U.S. Navy
Position Source: John Moore
This position is considered to be reliable

This tower was used to test launch subamarine-based Trident Missiles. It was sunk as an artificial reef by the State of California.

Name: Unnamed (52) - Bombing Target
Position: 32° 32' 24.68'', -117° 15' 13.96''
Position Source: John Moore
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: P-38 Airplane
Position: 32° 54' 28'', -117° 17' 03.62''
Sank: May 28, 1943
Depth: 130 feet
Position Source: Various
This position is considered to be innacurate. the actual position is closely guarded

The P-38 was part of a 3 plane formation flying low to the water. Duing a turn, the pilot chose to change position in the formation. In doing so, his right wing struck the water. He immediately climbed but too much damage was done to the plane, it was slowely losing speed. The pilot prepared for a water landing by opening the canopy and bracing his feet on the instruments. The plane pancaked on the water. The pilot jumped out onto the wing and into the water. The plane sank quickly nose down. The pilot was rescued soon after.

Name: Unnamed (50) - Obstruction
Position: 32° 35' 14.5'', -117° 08' 12.9'' WGS84
Determined by: Scaling
Depth: 39 feet
Position Source: Nautical Charts
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

It is apprears as a submerged obstruction on the charts. There is a note that it is marked with a bouy that is maintained by the U.S. Navy.

A visit to the beach on June 26, 2003, there was no bouy visible from the beach.

Name: Unnamed (11) - Wreck
Position: 32° 41' 00'', -117° 16' 14.8''
Determined by: Scaling
Depth: 66 feet
Position Source: Nautical Charts
This position is considered to be unreliable

This wreck is marked on the chart as "Doubtful Existence".

Another position of this wreck may be:
32 41 00, -117 16 16.1 at 90' deep

Name: Unnamed (16) - Wreck
Position: 32° 40' 00'', -117° 13' 57.13'' WGS84
Determined by: Scaling
Depth: 20 feet
Position Source: Nautical Charts
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Unnamed (10) - Obstruction
Position: 32° 41' 02.19'', -117° 07' 45.11'' WGS84
Sank: June 20, 1979
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be unreliable

A SUBMERGED OBSTRUCTION HAS BEEN REPORTED IN POSITION 32-41-02N 117-07-42W.

Name: Unnamed (8) - Wreck
Position: 32° 41' 25.18'', -117° 14' 21.12'' WGS84
Cause: Stranded
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Name: Yukon - Canadian Destroyer
Position: 32° 46' 47.21'', -117° 17' 07.08''
Built: July 26, 1961
Sank: July 14th, 2000
Depth: 102 feet
Description: 366 feet long 42 feet wide
Position Source: California Wreck Divers
This position is considered to be reliable

A Canadian Destroyer was intentionally sunk as part of the artificial reef project. It was prepared for divers and an abundance of entry and exit holes were cut into it to increase accessibility and diver safety. The Yukon took on water and foundered the night before she was intended to go down. Since her descent was not controlled, she went down on her port side which is how she lays on the bottom.

Name: El Rey - Kelp Harvester
Position: 32° 45' 51'', -117° 16' 36''
Built: 1946
Sank: April 2, 1987
Depth: 75 feet
Description: 100 feet long 32 feet wide
Owner: California Department of Fish and Game
Cause: Scuttled for artifical reef project
Position Source: several sources
This position is considered to be reliable

Most of the superstructure has collapsed. The most interesting part of this wreck is the life growing on it.

Name: Ruby E - Coast Guard Cutter
Position: 32° 46' 02'', -117° 16' 36''
Built: 1934
Sank: June 18, 1989
Depth: 85 feet
Description: 165 feet long 38 feet wide
Owner: U.S. Coast Guard
Position Source: several souces
This position is considered to be reliable

This ship was bought by the California department of Fish and Game to be scuttled as an artificial reef project.

She sits upright on the bottom and is intact and penetrable. All the hatches have been made larger and most rooms have an exit to the outside.

The position reported by the California State Land Commission was 32 46 14, -117 16 18 which is 0.4 miles northeast of the position stated above.

Name: NOSC/Naval Warfare Tower
Position: 32° 46' 21.5'', -117° 16' 03.4''
Built: 1959
Sank: January 17, 1988
Depth: 70 feet
Position Source: several sources
This position is considered to be reliable

A research tower that looked like an oil rig that was knocked over by a 20 foot wave during the 200 years storm on January 17, 1988.

Name: USS Hogan (DD178) - Destroyer
Position: 32° 31' 43.67'', -117° 12' 33.63''
Built: April 12, 1919
Sank: November 8, 1945
Depth: 130 feet
Description: 315 feet long 32 feet wide
Position Source: John Moore
This position is considered to be reliable

This "Little" version of the Wickes Class Destroyer was built for World War I, but was commissioned after the end of the war. It sent most of it's life doing exercises on the Pacifi. It was decomissioned a few years later.

It was recommissioned for World War II. It was used for training, minesweeping and escorts in the Atlantic. The only major Atlantic operation it was involved in was the invasion of North Africa in 1942. Later, the Hogan returned to the Pacific where it did anti-submarine patrol and participated in invasions against Japanese forces.

It was decommissioned again at the end of war and then used as a bombing target.

It is now in very poor condition. The aft portion rises about 20 feet above the sand. The bombs and time reduced the mid section to a pile of rubble, with some machinery visible. The bow is upside down in the sand because that is how it sank after the bombing practice.

The California State Land Commission states the wreck is at 32 32 17, -117 12 05.

Name: S-37 (SS-142) - Submarine
Position: 32° 36' 15.09'', -117° 08' 13.38''
Built: 1923
Sank: February 20, 1945
Depth: 30 feet
Description: 219 feet long 21 feet wide
Owner: U.S. Navy
Cause: Parted Tow
Position Source: Steve Lawson
This position is considered to be reliable

A World War II S-1 Class Submarine that was to used as a bobming target but it broke tow and sank in 50-60 feet of water.

Sometime before 1980 it was brought closer to the beach where it now sits in 20-30 feet of water. The top can be seen above the waterline in low tide or heavy surf.

Another date atached to the beaching of this Sub is April 25, 1945. The significance of this date is unknown.

The wreck is marked by a blue bouy that is visible from the beach. It is a very short swim from the beach to this bouy. However, it is a long walk from the nearest parking.

Name: Cabezon Cruiser - Bayliner Ski Boat
Position: 32° 51' 22.13'', -117° 15' 46.13'' WGS84
Determined by: GPS
Depth: 136 feet
Position Source: John Willis
This position is considered to be moderately reliable

A more accurate reading will be taken later. I believe this position will put you slightly Northwest of the wreck.

This boat was discovered by divers several years ago. There is no information about when or how it sank.

Do not try to drop in right over the wreck. Instead, drop in start somewhere well Southeast of the position to ensure you don't drop in too deep. Then go straight down to 135 feet and head west until you find it.

To easily find this wreck without a GPS, simply head about 240° from the white bouy just in front of La Jolla Shores Tennis Club. Head a little left or right to get to 135 feet as quickly as possible. Then stay at 135 feet and head West until you find the boat.

Name: W R Chamberlin Jr
Position: 32° 35' 00'', -117° 20' 00''
Sank: 1941
Description: 311 feet long 45 feet wide 6500 Tons
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

The steel steamship W. R. Chamberlin Jr., built in 1912 as one of the pioneer packaged lumber carriers of the C. A. Smith Lumber Co., later operated by the Dollar Steamship Co. as the Stanley Dollar, was acquired from W. R. Chamberlin & Co. by the Navy on 19 June 1943, becoming the repair ship USS Tackle. It was commissioned as ARS-37 5 August 1943. The ship served around Europe. On 27 June, it was determined that the ship was unfit for further naval service. Tackle was decommissioned on 13 September and struck from the Navy list on 11 October 1945, fate unknown.

Name: Mohican - Barkentine
Position: 32° 35' 00'', -117° 20' 00''
Built: 1875
Sank: 1926
Description: 852 Tons
Owner: State of California
Cause: Wrecked
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

There is conflicting information about the Mohican.

One account states that the Matson Navigation Company obtained the Mohican from Planters Line in 1909. It was converted to barge to take two 57-ton guns to Pearl Harbor. It was later used as a molasses barge in 1913. It was sold to state of California 1919 to store vegetable oil. Later, it was used as an oil barge at San Pedro and San Diego. It burned out at National City and the remains were removed in 1940.

The second account is that it was wrecked out at sea in 1926.

Name: YC-869 - Barge
Position: 32° 35' 50'', -117° 08' 08'' WGS84
Sank: 1943
Depth: 31 feet
Owner: U.S. Navy
Cause: Grounded
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

U.S. Coast Guard YC-869 sinks after grounding off Imperial Beach, California. It is a barge described as "yard craft, open car lighter" and "non-selfPropelled support craft".

The California State Land Commission states this is a "Subchaser". They also state this is YC-689 which is likely a mistake.

Name: PC-815 - Subchaser
Position: 32° 37' 54'', -117° 14' 12''
Sank: September 11, 1945
Depth: 90 feet
Description: 173 feet long 23 feet wide 280 Tons
Position Source: Unknown
This position is considered to be unreliable

This subchaser collided with the USS Laffey (a submarine) during dense fog. All but one of the crew were saved.

She was reported lying on her port side. It's possible that a large portion has been demosihed to eliminate unexploded ordnance.

The California State Land Commisions lists this position as 32° 36' 00'' -117° 18' 00'' which is 4.3 miles southwest of the position given above.

Name: F-1 Diesel-Electric Submarine
Position: 32° 44' 29.69'', -117° 24' 50.33''
Built: March 12, 1912
Sank: December 17, 1917
Depth: 1440 feet
Description: 143 feet long 15 feet wide 435 Tons
Owner: U.S. Navy
Cause: Collision
Position Source: Steve Lawson - Not Verfiried
This position is considered to be unreliable

Known as USS Carp until the name was officialy changed on November 17, 1911.

While maneuvering in exercises at sea F-1 and the F-3 collided during heavy fog. The F-1 sank in 10 seconds, her port side torn forward of the Engine Room. Nineteen of her men were lost. Five men, including the captain, were on deck when the collision occurred. They were rescued by the F-3 and brought into port.

In 1976 the F-1 was located using newly developed side-scan sonar by the USNS DeSteiguer while searching for an aircraft that had crashed in the area. The F-1 was visited and identified by the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle 2. The sub is laying on it starboard side pointing west. It is intact except for the 10x3 foot hole in the side.

Name: Monte Carlo - Concrete Tanker
Position: 32° 40' 26.2'', -117° 10' 22.7'' WGS84
Determined by: Scaling
Built: 1921
Sank: January 1, 1936 or December 31, 1936
Depth: 6 feet
Description: 300 feet long 40 feet wide 2702 Tons
Position Source: Nautical Charts
This position is considered to be moderately reilable

Not much information is available on the Monte Carlo. However, research indicates that it was probably built in 1921 and named the McKittrick. The McKittrick was built for the USMC. Later it was owned by a private oil company in San Francisco and in 1933 it was sold to a Los Angeles company. Around that time, it was probably rename the Monte Carlo and converted to a gambling ship.

The Monte Carlo was anchored 3 miles off the coast in international waters where it is legal to gamble. The anchor lost it's hold in a 1936 storm and drifted onto the coronado beach just in front of what is now the southernmost condo of the Coronado Shores near the Hotel Del Coronado. No one claimed ownership since, once on shore, this gambling ship was illegal. It may have $150,000 worth of silver dollars still stuck in the slot machines.

The wreck can usually be seen during low tide. However, over the years, the sand level raises and lowers. The wreck was visible in 2001. In 2002 the sand completely covered the wreck even during low tide.

There are signs in the area which warn of underwater obstables between the two signs.

This position reported by the California State Land Commisions is 32° 38' 09'', -117° 08' 08'' which is 2.3 miles southeast from the actual position.

Name: Mindanao - Schooner
Position: 32° 38' 30'', -117° 15' 00''
Built: 1902
Sank: 1946
Description: 566 Tons
Cause: Wrecked
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Mildura II - Oil yacht
Position: 32° 38' 30'', -117° 15' 00''
Built: 1927
Sank: January 10, 1932
Description: 100 feet long 47 Tons
Owner: George Chaffey Jr.
Cause: Stranded
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Possible burned.

Name: Sea Hawk - Oil screw
Position: 32° 38' 30'', -117° 15' 00''
Built: 1941
Sank: 1945
Description: 83 Tons
Cause: Collision
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Finita
Position: 32° 39' 00'', -117° 15' 00''
Sank: 1954
Cause: Collision
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Diablo (Dyablo) - Steam screw
Position: 32° 39' 39.99'', -117° 14' 30''
Built: 1868
Sank: 1873
Description: 1451 Tons
Owner: Panama Railroad Company
Cause: Wrecked
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Triton - Oil screw
Position: 32° 39' 40'', -117° 14' 30''
Sank: 1943
Description: 12 Tons
Cause: Stranded
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Idaho (YP 198) - Gas screw
Position: 32° 39' 40'', -117° 14' 30''
Built: 1907
Sank: 1943
Description: 22 Tons
Cause: Wrecked
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Pacific
Position: 32° 39' 40'', -117° 14' 30''
Sank: 1922
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Glendale - Schooner, Sail
Position: 32° 39' 40'', -117° 14' 30''
Built: 1888
Sank: 1930
Description: 296 Tons
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Sachtleben - Oil screw
Position: 32° 39' 40'', -117° 14' 30''
Built: 1936
Sank: 1940
Description: 57 Tons
Cause: Grounded
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Plutus - Schooner, Sail
Position: 32° 39' 45'', -117° 14' 30''
Sank: October 2, 1858
Cause: Beached
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

The Schooners Lovely Flora and Plutus were beached buring the worst gale that San Diego had known up to that date. The Point Loma lighthouse keeper left because he believed the tower would fall.

Name: Aquarius - Oil screw
Position: 32° 39' 54'', -117° 14' 30''
Built: 1965
Sank: 1980
Description: 49 Tons
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Despatch #5 - Gas screw
Position: 32° 40' 00'', -117° 14' 39.34''
Built: 1913
Sank: 1926
Description: 59 Tons
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Bohemia - Steam screw
Position: 32° 40' 00'', -117° 13' 00''
Built: 1875
Sank: 1931
Description: 1633 Tons
Owner: U.S. Navy
Cause: Wrecked
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Kelpie - Schooner
Position: 32° 40' 00'', -117° 20' 00''
Sank: 1926
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Penelope - Schooner
Position: 32° 40' 00'', -117° 20' 00''
Sank: 1922
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Aliciel - Gas screw
Position: 32° 40' 00'', -117° 14' 00''
Sank: 1916
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Dorothy Phillips
Position: 32° 40' 00'', -117° 15' 00''
Sank: 1941
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Narwhal - Barkentine
Position: 32° 40' 20.6'', -117° 06' 58'' WGS84
Built: 1883
Sank: October 1932
Description: 523 Tons
Owner: Uncertain (abandoned)
Cause: Beached
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

This ship made seven whaling voyages to the artic. Later it became a salmon packer, movie prop, and fishing barge. In 1932 the leaky ship was towed from Ensenada, Mexico to a pier in San Diego where it was abandoned. It was stripped of everything of value. Finally it was towed to National City where it was beached. It broke up with time but in 1937 it's remains killed six people when a Navy Sea Plane parcticing in the south bay hit the obstruction and nosed over.

It was said to be 200 yards past the end of 9th street when the sea plane hit it. 200 yards from the end of 9th street (based on a historical maps of that time) gives us the coordinates above. At that time, the area was marsh and tidelands. However, between 1940 and 1943, after the area was aquired from National City, that area was filled in and covered over with concrete near what is now the Seventh Street Canal of the 32nd Street Naval Base. What was left of the wreck will probably remain encased in fill-dirt untill the end of time.

The California State Land Commission gives the coordinates of 32 40 00, -117 10 00 which is 3 miles west of the actual probable location. It is roughly the same latitude but the longitude was probably mistakenly estimated to be somewhere on the silver strand beach instead of in the bay.

Name: Northern Light - Tuna clipper
Position: 32° 40' 00'', -117° 17' 00''
Built: 1937
Sank: 1955
Cause: Explosion and Fire
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Lovely Flora - Schooner
Position: 32° 40' 00'', -117° 15' 00''
Sank: October 2, 1858
Cause: Beached
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

The Schooners Lovely Flora and Plutus were beached buring the worst gale that San Diego had known up to that date. The Point Loma lighthouse keeper left because he believed the tower would fall.

Name: New World - Oil screw
Position: 32° 40' 50'', -117° 11' 30''
Built: 1926
Sank: 1945
Description: 55 Tons
Cause: Foundered
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Tryst - Oil screw
Position: 32° 40' 56'', -117° 12' 56''
Built: 1967
Sank: 1976
Description: 12 Tons
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Diana
Position: 32° 41' 00'', -117° 15' 00''
Sank: 1948
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Olympic - Barkentine
Position: 32° 41' 00'', -117° 15' 30''
Built: 1892
Sank: 1948
Description: 1469 Tons
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

There were two Barkentine ships named "Olympic" which had similar fates and sailed around the same area and timeframe.

The first was probably built in 1877 and sank in 1940 up near Los Angeles. It was used at a fishing barge when it sank. It is a well known wreck.

The second was probably built in 1892 and sank in 1948 near San Diego. It was also used as a fishing barge when it sank. Very little it known about this wreck.

Name: Fanny
Position: 32° 41' 08'', -117° 13' 55''
Sank: 1851
Cause: Capsized
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

What remained of this wreck was most likely lost when the bay was dredged to allow for larger ships.

Name: Belgian King - Steamship
Position: 32° 41' 08'', -117° 13' 55''
Sank: 1899
Cause: Stranded
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

What remained of this wreck was most likely lost when the bay was dredged to allow for larger ships.

Name: Mondego - Oil screw
Position: 32° 42' 00'', -117° 10' 00''
Built: 1967
Sank: 1967
Description: 306 Tons
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Sea Products #3 - Barge
Position: 32° 42' 30'', -117° 11' 00''
Built: 1916
Sank: 1931
Description: 83 Tons
Cause: Wrecked
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

What remained of this wreck was most likely lost when the bay was dredged to allow for larger ships.

Name: Alaskan
Position: 32° 42' 29.99'', -117° 11' 60''
Sank: 1910
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

What remained of this wreck was most likely lost when the bay was dredged to allow for larger ships.

Name: Radio - Schooner
Position: 32° 43' 30'', -117° 12' 29.99''
Built: 1924
Sank: 1950
Description: 137 Tons
Cause: Foundered
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Lazy Days - Barge
Position: 32° 44' 00'', -117° 16' 20''
Built: 1943
Sank: 1953
Description: 150 feet long 93 Tons
Cause: Foundered
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

The Lazy Dazy was originally an LCI (Landing Craft Infantry) which carried troops to shore during World War II. They were larger than other landing craft and were designed to take hundreds of soldiers ashore after an initial invasion. After the war, many LCI's were taken to California to be scrapped. Having sound steel hulls, LCIs made strong barges. The Lazy Daze foundered in 1953 and was dove for years, but no one has heard of anyone diving it recently.

The photo to the right is different LCI and shows how they looked during the war.

Name: Dot
Position: 32° 45' 25'', -117° 15' 30''
Sank: 1951
Cause: Capsized
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Shoshoni - Oil screw
Position: 32° 46' 00'', -117° 14' 30''
Built: 1944
Sank: 1965
Description: 55 Tons
Cause: Burned
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Capistrano
Position: 32° 46' 30'', -117° 15' 00''
Sank: 1911
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

If this is an acurate position, this wreck was most likely removed or destroyed when Mission bay was dredged and restored from 1945 to 1962.

Possibly the same as the UNKNOWN WRECK (1) to the west.

Name: Governor Markham - Oil screw
Position: 32° 50' 00'', -117° 17' 00''
Built: 1892
Sank: 1957
Description: 79 Tons
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

This was a California State Fireboat stationed in San Francisco. It was instrumental in pumping water to put out the fire from the Great Quake of 1909.

Name: Shooters Fantasy - Fisherman Sport
Position: 32° 45' 46.2'', -117° 16' 18.6''
Determined by: GPS
Sank: 1987
Description: 65 feet long
Owner: California Department of Fish and Game
Cause: Scuttled for artifical reef project
Position Source: Lois Ann
This position is considered to be reliable

This boat was scuttled for an artificial reef project. It was visited by divers for some months. Then, on January 17, 1988, during the 200 year storm, it was moved 300 yards south of it's original location. It has been relocated by divers but there is little to see. The fiberglass boats is in small pieces and not worth visiting.

Name: Strider - Sailing yacht
Position: 32° 46' 14'', -117° 16' 18''
Sank: 1987
Description: 36 feet long
Owner: California Department of Fish and Game
Cause: Scuttled for artifical reef project
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Because it is so small, there is not much interest in visiting it and, therefore, a complete lack of information about it. It was more than likely moved from it's original location during the 200 year storm on January 17, 1988.

It is believed to be about 250 yards west of the Ruby-E.

Name: Wilmar - Oil screw
Position: 32° 50' 00'', -117° 17' 00''
Built: 1911
Sank: 1950
Description: 56 Tons
Cause: Foundered
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Salina - Gas screw
Position: 32° 50' 00'', -117° 19' 00''
Built: 1917
Sank: 1924
Description: 41 Tons
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Noyo - Steamship
Position: 32° 51' 00'', -117° 17' 00''
Built: 1887
Sank: 1915
Description: 150 feet long 316 Tons
Owner: Union Lumber Company
Position Source: California State Land Commisions
This position is considered to be unreliable

The Noyo had a minor disaster somewhere outside of the La Jolla Cliffs. She drifted in an unusually strong current through the kelp beds and onto the rocks at 3:15am November 22, 1915. The entire town was awakened and brought to the cliffs by the steam whistle. The people from town could shout to the crew on the ship. The crew abandoned ship and went ashore in the life rafts. She was full of railroad ties and was kept afloat but just barely. In the morning, the crew returned to the ship and was towed to the 22nd street warf in San Diego bay by a tug boat. There she was unloaded (she tipped over while doing so). Later she was repaired and towed back to San Francisco.

Although the California State Land Commission indicates she is wrecked somewhere outside of La Jolla, it is more likely that she made it back to San Francisco, or at least to San Diego bay where the photo was taken.

Name: USS Marcus (DD 321) - Clemson Class Destroyer
Position: 32° 32' 13.47'', -117° 14' 26.85''
Built: August 22, 1919
Sank: June 25, 1935
Depth: 155 feet
Description: 315 feet long 32 feet wide 1215 Tons
Position Source: John Moore
This position is considered to be unreliable

Assigned to a destoryer squadron which patrolled from Seattle to Panama. Occasionally it would leave for short trips to the Caribbean or Hawaii but returned to the normal West Coast duty until 1929. It was decommissioned in 1929. It sat in San Diego until it was used for a bombing target June 25, 1935.

Another position for this wreck may be:
32 32 13.67, -117 14 27.3

Name: USS Radford (DD-120) - Wickes Class Destroyer
Position: 32° 32' 10.91'', -117° 14' 05.7''
Built: April 5, 1918
Sank: August 5, 1936
Depth: 191 feet
Description: 315 feet long 32 feet wide 1213 Tons
Position Source: John Moore
This position is considered to be unreliable

This "Lamberton" version of Wickes Class Destroyer took U.S. Troops to the battlefields of World War I. After the war it spent time around Cuba then over to the West coast where it did training from Portland to San Diego. After it was decommissioned on June 9, 1922. It sat in San Diego for 15 years before it was used as a bombing tartget on August 5, 1936.

Three other positions for this wreck are:
32 32 10.0, -117 14 00.0
32 32 10.2, -117 14 03.1
32 32 10.8, -117 14 06.0

Name: USS Champlin (DD-104)- "Little" Wickes Destroyer
Position: 32° 32' 52.91'', -117° 14' 46.52''
Built: April 7, 1918
Sank: August 12, 1936
Depth: 155 feet
Description: 315 feet long 32 feet wide 1154 Tons
Position Source: John Moore
This position is considered to be unreliable

This ship was sent to the Caribbian for training. By the time the training was completed, World War I was over. It was sent to the Pacific for more training until it was decommissioned in 1922. She sat in San Deigo for 11 years until they started using it for tests. When they were done with tests, they used it at a bombing target on August 12, 1936.

Another position for this wreck may be:
32 32 53.4, -117 14 46.9

Name: Unnamed (55) - Bombing Target
Position: 32° 31' 00'', -117° 12' 03.11'' WGS84
Sank: September 5, 1935
Position Source: NOAA
This position is considered to be very unreliable

Name: Unnamed (25) - Wreck
Position: 32° 36' 33'', -117° 07' 05.99''
Position Source: Steve Lawson
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Unnamed (54) - Wreck
Position: 32° 39' 10.19'', -117° 08' 16.8''
Position Source: Steve Lawson
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Unnamed (56) - Wreck
Position: 32° 39' 24.95'', -117° 08' 57.95''
Position Source: Wreck Chart
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Unnamed (59) - Unknown
Position: 32° 39' 30.78'', -117° 07' 43.2''
Position Source: Wrecks and Reefs, John Spira
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Unnamed (65) - Wreck
Position: 32° 40' 40.98'', -117° 10' 13.98''
Position Source: Wreck Chart
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Unnamed (80) - Obstruction
Position: 32° 42' 27.36'', -117° 10' 13.8''
Position Source: Wrecks and Reefs, John Spira
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Unnamed (82) - Obstruction
Position: 32° 42' 50.76'', -117° 12' 31.38''
Position Source: Wrecks and Reefs, John Spira
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Unnamed (83) - Obstruction
Position: 32° 43' 19.8'', -117° 12' 54.65''
Position Source: Wrecks and Reefs, John Spira
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Unnamed (3) - Wreck
Position: 32° 45' 30'', -117° 15' 49.8''
Position Source: Steve Lawson
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Ingraham St. Bridge
Position: 32° 45' 51'', -117° 16' 31.02''
Position Source: DFG
This position is considered to be unreliable

Name: Unnamed (1) - Wreck
Position: 32° 46' 30'', -117° 15' 49.8''
Depth: 30 feet
This position is considered to be unreliable

Possibly the same as the Capistrano to the east.

Name: F-4 Phantom
Position: 32° 55' 23.54'', -117° 16' 49.23''
Depth: 150 feet
Position Source: Steve Lawson - Not Verfiried
This position is considered to be moderately reliable

This F-4 Phantom is about 1 mile south of the P-38. Only a pair of engines remain along with a small portion of the tail and wing, probably because of break-up when impacting the water. There is a rumor that it crashed into an Aircraft Carrier during a public relations photo-shoot for a female pilot. The pilot survived and the damaged plane was pushed off the Aircraft Carrier. This rumor doesn't make sense unless the plane was on fire.

Although this wreck has been visited by divers, no identifying information has been found on the wreck yet.

The photo to the right is only an example of an F-4. It is not the one that crashed.

Name: Anti Submarine Warfare Airplane
Position: 32° 40' 16.72'', -117° 17' 48.19''
Owner: US Navy
Position Source: Various
This position is considered to be very unreliable

This position is only an estimate.

In 1993 it was discovered by an ROV when the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant extended it's sewage pipeline from 2 miles to 4.5 miles. At least two divers have visited the site. There was a star visible on the tail. It may have a twin tail and may be a Guardian or similar type flown in the 1950's. Nothing else is known about the wreck.

The photo to the right is only an example of an 1950's Anti Submarine Warfare Pla