SS United States
steamer · United States · Lost 1881
Status: located · Curator Verified
Research & Discovery: Dr. E. Lee Spence — Marine Archaeologist
Significance
The wooden-hulled screw steamer SS United States was lost off Cape Romain, South Carolina in 1881. She represents a transitional era in American shipping, when wooden construction was giving way to iron and steel hulls. The wreck was documented by Dr. E. Lee Spence during his systematic archaeological survey of the South Carolina coastal waters. Her loss contributed to the establishment of improved Life-Saving Service stations along the dangerous Cape Romain shoals.
Technical Details
| Vessel Type | steamer |
|---|---|
| Flag / Nation | United States |
| Built | 1873 |
| Length | 70 m |
| Tonnage | 900 tons |
| Cargo | Mixed cargo and passengers |
| Date Lost | 1881 |
| Cause of Loss | storm |
| Body of Water | Atlantic Ocean |
| Region | South Carolina, USA |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 32.95°, -79.3° |
| Discovery Year | 1973 |
| Discovered By | Dr. E. Lee Spence |
Sources & Citations
- [1] Spence, E. Lee. Shipwrecks of South Carolina and Georgia. 1984.
- [2] US Life-Saving Service annual reports, 1882.
Related Wrecks
- SS City of Vera Cruz (1880) — Florida, 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