Benwood (ship)
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The Benwood was a freighter that was built in England in 1910 by the shipping company Craig, Taylor & Co. During the Second World War , it was part of the Allied forces' freighter fleet. On April 6, 1942, the ship sank after a collision with the Robert C. Turtle off the Florida Keys near Key Largo .
The ship was 108 meters long and 15 meters wide. Until its use in the war it was a privately used transport freighter.
On the day of the accident, the Benwood left Tampa , Florida , destined for Halifax and Liverpool, and was laden with phosphate rock . Because one had to reckon with German submarines , the ship drove without lights and collided with the tanker Robert C. Turtle , which was also unlit . The bow of the Benwood was shattered in this collision and the ship sank near the Elbow Reef .
Today it is a well-known diving attraction there at a depth of about six to thirteen meters. It is interesting for both snorkelers and night divers.
literature
- Stephen Frank, William J. Harrigan: wreck of the Benwood. In: Florida Keys - Dive Guide. Blinker . Special issue. Year Top Special Verlag 1998; P. 66ff. ISBN 3-86132-245-5 .
Coordinates: 25 ° 3 ′ 9.6 ″ N , 80 ° 20 ′ 1.2 ″ W.