USS Spiegel Grove (LSD-32) Artificial Reef

 ship wreck, artificial reef

The USS Spiegel Grove was the fifth member of the Thomaston Class of Dock Landing Ships (LSD's), and served with the US Atlantic Fleet from 1956 to 1989. Following her decommissioning from active US Navy service, she was held in reserve until 2001 when she was donated to the State of Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission for use as an artificial reef.

After preparations to make her environmentally sound and easy to access for divers, the ex-Spiegel Grove was towed to this location and scuttled with explosive charges. As she sank, the ship rolled onto her Starboard side before flipping over completely, leaving her bow protruding from the surface where it remained for several days as the air slowly escaped from her hull. As the State of Florida originally intended to sink the ship on an even keel, tugboats were brought in to attempt to roll the vessel as it slowly settled into the water, which eventually led to the ship finally sinking on it's Starboard side.

In July 2005, nature completed what man could not, as swells from Hurricane Dennis rolled the ex-Spiegel Grove onto an even keel. Today the ship is visited by thousands of divers every year.

navysite.de/ships/lsd32.htm
www.navsource.org/archives/10/12/1232.htm