The United States Coast Guard Cutter Duane, named after William J. Duane, secretary of the Treasury under President Andrew Jackson, is also one of seven 327 foot Secretary class vessels. Designed for the same reason as the Bibb, she was built at the U.S. Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, launched on June 3,1936, and placed in commission on August 1,1936.

At her first home port of Oakland, California, Duane's assigned duties included search and rescue and law enforcement. In 1939, she was moved to the East Coast and operated jointly with the Navy as part of a destroyer squadron to assist shipping in the North Atlantic. In 1940, when the Atlantic Weather Observation Service was established Duane was detailed to patrol the first weather observing station in the North Atlantic.

On June 14, 1941 the Duane rescued 46 survivors from the British Merchant Ship Tresillian sunk by the German U-Boat U-175 On April 17,1943, Duane and sister ship Spencer sank the German U-Boat U-77. The Duane rescued 22 crew members from the Nazi vessel. Late in 1943 she shifted operations to the Mediterranean and then served in 1944 to the flagship of the amphibious force invasion of Southern France. In 1946 she was reconverted and put back into peacetime service fulfilling roles in Search and Rescue, Ocean Station Patrol and Fisheries patrol. On May 19,1957, Duane rescued 28 from the Finnish freighter Bornholm, between the Azores and Bermuda. Between July 1957, and July, 1968, Duane served in Vietnam as part of the Coastal Surveillance Force.

In the 1970's, Duane was involved in drug enforcement and routine patrol. In 1972, her home port was changed from Boston to Portland, Maine. In 1980 she was one of several Coast Guard Cutters involved in shepherd mg boats during the "Mariel Boat Lift" off the Island of Cuba to Key West.

On August 1,1985 she was decommissioned as the oldest active U.S. military vessel. She was sunk November 26, 1967 in approximately 120 feet of water. She rests in an upright position about a quarter mile from her sister ship, the Bibb.

Hide Duane History

The Spiegel Grove was commissioned as a Landing Ship Dock on 6/8/56, and decommissioned 10/2/89. After eight arduous years, this retired Navy transport ship headed down the St. James River in tow out of Norfolk, Virginia, towards Key Largo. She sat as a 7,000-ton member of the ghost fleet, or mothball fleet where over 100 big ships sit and rust at their final resting place. But, not this ship! There were plans for her underway and her new life was just beginning! The project lasted eight years and cost over 1.25 million dollars. As you dive the Spiegel Grove time and time again, you will see that, as a diving destination, she is worth every penny spent!

She arrived in Key Largo and prematurely capsized on May 17, 2002. That is just when things started getting exciting! Yes, she "turned turtle" as the world watched, and sat upside down with 100 feet of her bow protruding out of the water for a month before they reoriented her. That is kind of old news now! The Grove opened for diving June 24th, 2002. This is the largest ship ever intentionally scuttled as an artificial reef for scuba diving! She is massive and sits on the ocean floor near Dixie Shoals in 130 feet of sand within the Marine Sanctuary and her beam is 84 feet wide.

Now, you will be amazed at all the growth and activity that lives on this underwater city called the Spiegel Grove!! The ever developing ecosystem will astound you as she is already covered with all sorts of polyps and sponges, and has attracted curious fish from over 550 local species. If you dive the stern, be prepared to enter the cavernous well deck as you are greeted by huge schools of fish often swimming upside down. To say the least, we at Scuba-Do are proud and amazed to do this dive over and over again! So come join us and discover this amazing underwater city!

What took mankind 8 years and $1.4 Million dollars to accomplish, Hurricane Dennis fixed right up for us in just one night - for free!! But then again, The Spiegel Grove always did have a mind of her own! It is, however, difficult to believe that she rolled herself upright during Hurricane Dennis in early July 2005…..which was a storm that passed 200 miles West of Key Largo!! Some referred to this unprecedented occurrence as "The Miracle at Latitude 25!"

The 7,000-ton ship rolled over to her new orientation on its keel one night during the storm, remaining fully intact, still facing in an easterly direction, in the same location…the way the original plan intended it to be!! It is unbelievable that the Spiegel Grove was righted by Hurricane Dennis when all other shipwrecks in the Upper Keys remained untouched!!

BUT HOW COULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED??
As everyone knows, the Spiegel Grove has sat on her starboard side for years now. What divers may not have realized was the trench underneath that was being dug by strong currents was ten feet deep in some places. Experts say that the seas built to 20 feet or greater bringing high winds and unusually strong current with tremendous strength, all of which were running in the same direction.

During earlier attempts to right the ship, an anchor cable was run underneath the ship that attached to one of the propeller shafts to enable tugboats to rotate it. But the tugboat tow lines broke, leaving the ship on its side also leaving the cable which remained there for three years. Hurricane Dennis swept by with gusts over 60 mph; high seas and strong currents and rolled it over and settled it in the trench with the anchor cable holding the ship in place!

Sanctuary officials closed the wreck for a brief period to assess its stability and new orientation. After one short week, they opened the dive site to the public after reattaching eight new mooring buoys. Surprisingly, most if not all of the sponges and corals remained unaffected and still attached to the wreck! Marine life quickly returned, and so have all the divers!! The wreck is even more spectacular than you could imagine!! If you dove it on its side, don't even think you will recognize the ship in its new orientation as it appears to be a completely different dive!! The main deck is at about 100 feet and the superstructure is at about 65 feet. The cranes, wheelhouse, and the guns turrets are all still there beautifully covered with growth!!

REMINDER: The Upper Keys Artificial Reef Foundation, Inc. (501c) absorbed this $1.4 Million debt which covered all costs to deliver this world class wreck to Key Largo. All divers that visit the Spiegel Grove will be asked to make a $10 donation by purchasing an annual medallion from your dive operator to help retire this debt. Dive Operators have pre purchased these medallions for you and 100% of the $10 donation goes to the U.K.A.R.F.

NOTE: This is an ADVANCED DIVE SITE requiring AOW certification or higher and a Dive Computer OR we can arrange a hired dive guide for your safety and pleasure.

Hide Spiegel Grove History