Shipwrecks of North Carolina

Prepared by Avery PaxtonFebruary 2014

‘Graveyard of the Atlantic’

Map from NOAA Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

Thousands of shipwrecks in NC

Causes of Shipwrecks

• Run aground• Storms• War• Others?

USS Monitor (1862)

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph

USS Monitor (1862)

Monitor Collection, NOAA.

Battle of the Atlantic

German U-boat, U-85. Sank in 1943.

Types of Shipwrecks

Historic• Sank accidentally during

storms, war, or other causes

Artificial• Sank on purpose to form

habitat

NC Artificial Reef Program

Value of Shipwrecks

CULTURAL RESOURCES• Time-capsules of the past are part of maritime

heritage

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES• Habitat for fish and invertebrates

City of Houston

John D. Gill

Hyde

Titan

• Research your assigned shipwreck• Present your findings in front of class• Use ‘Worksheet 1: Shipwreck History’ as a

guide

Assignment