SS City of Vera Cruz
Also known as: City of Vera Cruz
steamer · United States · Lost 1880
Status: located · Curator Verified
Research & Discovery: Dr. E. Lee Spence — Marine Archaeologist
Significance
The SS City of Vera Cruz was an American passenger steamer lost in a powerful Atlantic hurricane on October 2, 1880, with a catastrophic loss of life. She was operated by the Mallory Line on the New York to Galveston route. When the storm struck off the Florida Keys, she foundered with the loss of over 60 lives. The disaster prompted significant improvements in storm warning systems and maritime safety regulations. Dr. E. Lee Spence located the wreck and documented it as part of his research into Florida coastal shipwrecks.
Technical Details
| Vessel Type | steamer |
|---|---|
| Flag / Nation | United States |
| Builder | John Roach & Sons, Chester, Pennsylvania |
| Built | 1872 |
| Length | 96 m |
| Tonnage | 1627 tons |
| Cargo | Passengers and general cargo |
| Date Lost | October 2, 1880 |
| Cause of Loss | storm |
| Body of Water | Gulf of Mexico |
| Region | Florida, USA |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 24.6°, -81.8° |
| Discovery Year | 1980 |
| Discovered By | Dr. E. Lee Spence |
Sources & Citations
- [1] Spence, E. Lee. Shipwrecks of Florida. 1995.
- [2] New York Times, October 5, 1880.
- [3] US Life-Saving Service records, 1880.
Related Wrecks
- SS United States (1881) — South Carolina, USA
- SS Ozama (1894) — South Carolina, USA
- H.L. Hunley (1864) — South Carolina, USA
- Mary Bowers (1864) — South Carolina, USA
- Norseman (1864) — South Carolina, USA
- USS Housatonic (1864) — South Carolina, USA