Mid Shore Sites

Depths of 65' - 100'                   2 Tank Dive $175

Tex Edwards Barge

  • DEPTH: 60-75ft
  • DISTANCE FROM SHORE: 6.5NM E. SE of Pensacola Pass
  • COORDINATES: 30 17.450' N, 87 13.257' W
  • SHIP SPECS: Large intact barge
  • LIFE SPAN: Sunk 1982
  • BRIEF HISTORY: This large, intact barge is home to many different types of marine life including snapper, triggerfish, amberjack, and many different species of tropical fish. It was intentionally sunk on New Year’s Eve 1982.

    MRP Report 003 pp. 139

Liberty Ship

  • DEPTH: 80ft
  • DISTANCE FROM SHORE: 7NM E. SE. of the Pensacola Pass
  • COORDINATES: 30 16.390’N, 086 09.56’W
  • SHIP SPECS: 480ft long liberty ship with her sides 20ft off the sand
  • LIFE SPAN: 1946 - 1976
  • BRIEF HISTORY: The Liberty Ship ‘Joseph L. Meek’ was built for the Maritime Commission, operating under the U.S. war shipping administration. She was one of the “Ugly Duckling” ships rapidly constructed during WWII and was used to transport troops and cargo to the Allied Forces in Europe. She was intentionally sunk by the Department of Commerce in 1976. Many fishman enjoy this wreck leading to there being many resident sharks who like to hang around the site.

    MRP Report 003 pp. 129

San Pablo AKA Russian Freighter

  • DEPTH: 80ft
  • DISTANCE FROM SHORE: 9 miles off the coast
  • COORDINATES: 30 11.333’N, 87 13.057’W
  • SHIP SPECS: 315.3ft length, 44.3ft beam, 28ft draft, and displacing 3,305 tons
  • LIFE SPAN: 1915 - 1943
  • BRIEF HISTORY: The history of the San Pablo Wreck is one of the most interesting in Pensacola, mainly for the local tales that are associated with it. In 1931 she was found registered in Panama for Balboa Shipping Co. In 1942 two torpedoes were fired at her by a German submarine, while tied to a pier in Costa Rica. The torpedoes caused the bridge in the #1 and #2 holds to quickly fill with water due to the watertight doors being open. She quickly settled to the bottom, causing 24 fatalities. She was raised in 1943 for repairs but was ultimately declared a total loss and was brought to Pensacola for training on Project Campbell during WWII. Project Campbell is a H.E. missile-craft, that was operated by remote radio control, with the aid of television. This project was originally classified causing locals to create their own stories of what happened. She is commonly called the Russian Freighter because of rumors of espionage and spies that were circulating during the mid-1940s. There is obvious damage on the wreck site from its history and sinking during training, thus giving her the current nickname, Russian Freighter. The stern and boilers are still intact for recreational divers to enjoy. It is #2 on the panhandle shipwreck trail.

    MRP Report 003 pp. 104 and http://www.floridapanhandledivetrail.com/san-pablo.html https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4013coll8/id/3041/

Ocean Winds

  • DEPTH: 82ft
  • DISTANCE FROM SHORE: 10NM off the coast
  • COORDINATES: 30 10.995’N, 87 12.017’W
  • SHIP SPECS: 82ft length
  • LIFE SPAN: 2012 - 2016
  • BRIEF HISTORY: The Ocean Winds is a 82ft tugboat that was commissioned to tow and sink many of the artificial reefs in Escambia County. She was ultimately decommissioned and purchased by Escambia County to be made into an artificial reef 10 miles offshore. Fittingly, she was brought out to the spot where she towed many vessels to their final resting place and now sits alongside them for recreational divers to enjoy.

    MRP Report 003 pp. 201

Pete Tide II

  • DEPTH: 100 – 105ft
  • DISTANCE FROM SHORE: 12NM S. off the Pensacola Pass
  • COORDINATES: 30 08.767’N, 087 14.017’W
  • SHIP SPECS: 166.4ft length, 38ft beam, and 13.5ft draft
  • LIFE SPAN: 1979 - 1993
  • BRIEF HISTORY: Pete Tide II was an oil rig supply ship that was intentionally sunk by Escambia County. Pete Tide I was destroyed in a fire, thus creating Pete Tide II. The upper structure is accessible at 60ft and sits upright. One can typically find schools of spadefish and minnows hanging out in the intact pilothouse. Its intact hull is an enticing dive spot for advanced divers. It is #3 on the panhandle shipwreck trail.

    MRP Report 003 pp. 153 http://www.floridapanhandledivetrail.com/pete-tide.html

*All dives require dive computers or watches.*