READ ABOUT THIS WRECK IN SHIPWRECKS OF THE SUNSHINE STATE!

The City of Washington was built in 1877 at John Roach and Sons' Shipyard in Chester, Pennsylvania. The City of Washington boasted a length of 301 feet and a beam of 38 feet.

The City of Washington's moment in history came the night of February 15, 1898. Because of deteriorating relations between the United States and Spain over the rebellion in Cuba, the U.S.S. Maine was moored in Havana Harbor to protect American interests. That night the Maine was ripped apart by a horrific explosion. The City of Washington was moored close by and suffered damage to her awnings and deckhouses by flying debris. Her crew assisted in the rescue of the Maine survivors and formed a makeshift hospital from in the dining salon.

On July 10, 1917, the tugboat Luchenbach #4, towing the City of Washington and the Seneca, ran aground on Elbow Reef. The Luchenbach #4 and the Seneca were soon refloated, but the City of Washington broke up and was a total loss within a few minutes. The wreck site of the City of Washington is approximately 325 feet long and contains mostly the lower section of the steel hull. Due to the shallow water, the wreck has been reduced with perhaps only 5 feet of relief in areas.