The SS Copenhagen shipwreck off the coast of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea in Florida provides a unique scuba diving and snorkeling experience. Diving the SS Copenhagen shipwreck offers a chance to explore a historic 19th-century cargo steamer that met its demise in 1900. As one of Florida’s underwater archaeological preserves, the Copenhagen shipwreck has plenty to offer divers and history buffs alike.
Brief History of the SS Copenhagen Shipwreck
The SS Copenhagen was a British cargo steamer that struck a reef about 3/4 of a mile off the coast of present-day Lauderdale-By-The-Sea on May 26, 1900. The 325-foot-long steamer was navigating from Philadelphia to Havana with around 5,000 tons of coal when a navigational error caused it to run aground in about 25 feet of water.
Salvage attempts managed to recover most of the coal cargo, but the SS Copenhagen was ultimately abandoned after crews were called away to respond to a fire in Hoboken, New Jersey. The shipwreck remained above water for decades, even serving as target practice for US Navy pilots during World War II. Today, the site is part of the Pompano Dropoff Reef, where the remnants of the ship’s structure have become an artificial reef providing a habitat for marine life.
Shipwreck Preserve Status and Visitation
The SS Copenhagen shipwreck site was designated as Florida’s fifth underwater archaeological preserve in 1994. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. As one of Florida’s “Museums in the Sea,” the Copenhagen shipwreck preserve helps the public learn about and appreciate Florida’s rich maritime heritage.
With its shallow depth, accessibility, and unique history, the SS Copenhagen is one of the most popular shipwreck diving and snorkeling sites in Florida. Local dive charters make frequent trips to the wreck, with annual visitation estimated between 7,000-10,000 divers and snorkelers. For many area dive shops, trips to the Copenhagen are a major part of their business.
Diving the SS Copenhagen Shipwreck
Despite being underwater for over 120 years, many recognizable features of the SS Copenhagen’s structure remain for divers and snorkelers to explore. The most prominent include:
- Anchor
- Donkey boiler (powered loading/unloading equipment)
- Pillow block (supported propeller shaft)
- Cargo boom (helped load/unload cargo)
- double hull
In addition to the ship’s structure, divers can observe how the Copenhagen has transformed into an artificial reef over the past century, providing a home for marine organisms like spiny lobsters, tropical fish, sea fans, and nurse sharks. Sometimes small lumps of coal and spent ammunition shells can even be spotted, remnants from the ship’s demise.
With an average depth around 25 feet, the SS Copenhagen can be enjoyed by snorkelers as well as scuba divers of all skill levels. Underwater photographers can capture unique images of the anchor and coral-encrusted railings. The Copenhagen’s location just 3/4 of a mile from shore also makes it one of the most conveniently accessed shipwreck dives in South Florida.
Best Time for Diving the SS Copenhagen
The SS Copenhagen shipwreck can be visited year-round, but conditions are best from March through September when the weather is calm and waters are clear. Summer does bring larger crowds, so visiting in the spring or fall offers a balance of good visibility combined with fewer divers.
The Copenhagen tends to have lower visitation in the winter months between December and February when the weather is more unpredictable. Wave surge and choppy conditions during this time of year make the site better suited for more experienced divers.
Regardless of season, the SS Copenhagen offers an intriguing glimpse into Florida’s maritime past. For scuba divers, snorkelers, and history enthusiasts visiting South Florida, this century-old shipwreck preserve is a unique and rewarding experience beneath the sea.
