The Hesperides was a 286' long freighter, built in 1884 by R & J Evans and Company of Liverpool, England. On 9 October 1897 she was en route to Baltimore from Cuba with a cargo of pig iron when she became lost in a dense fog and ran aground on Diamond Shoals. No lives were lost, as the Life-Saving Service was able to reach the ship and take the crew off in clam seas.

Today, the Hesperides sits directly on the Shoals and is often undiveable due to the currents. It also can become hazardous to approach on a rough day, as the steering quadrant comes to within 10' of the surface and could damage the bottom of an unsuspecting dive boat. The heavily encrusted wreck sits upright on its keel and is contiguous. The bow is sitting upright and fairly intact with an anchor resting on the port side. The stern also offers a good bit of relief, with the rudder assembly, steering quadrant and four bladed prop still in place. As it rests in only 40' of water, divers can spend copious amounts of time on the wreck. Marine life is usually abundant and, due to the location, represents both temperate and tropical species.