Unexplained Shipwrecks Captured by Google Earth
Shipwrecks are fascinating—imagine centuries of history lying submerged in the deep blue, slowly corroding away. There’s something so eerie and mystical about these shipwrecks that have intrigued humanity for centuries. There was a time when it was only accessible to divers or researchers, but thanks to Google Earth, it is now possible to view some of these submerged relics from the comfort of your screens.
Let’s understand how Google Earth shows these shipwrecks andhave a look at some of the most famous shipwrecks on Google Earth.
Does Google Earth Show Shipwrecks?
Yes, Google Earth offers a unique window into the underwater world showing shipwrecks sitting silently on the ocean floor. By using its advanced satellite imaging, Google Earth provides surprising detail, capturing the locations and sometimes even the structural remains of shipwrecks scattered worldwide.
According to UNSECO, there are about 300 million shipwrecks in the ocean across the globe and today we’ll have a look at some of them. Below are six of the most mysterious and unexplained shipwrecks on Google Earth coordinates.
The 6 Unexplained Shipwrecks On Google Earth
Google Maps can sometimes show you some of the most unexpected and bizarre things. There are some creepy coordinates on Google Earth that may leave you stunned and these shipwrecks on Google Earth are no less.
From possible pirate ships to World War relics, each of these shipwrecks holds its own unique story—or, in some cases, a lack of one.
1. SS Jassim Shipwreck – Wingate Reef, Sudan
Coordinates: 19°38′46.0″N 37°17′42.2″E
This Bolivian cargo ferry met its end on Sudan’s Wingate Reef in 2003. Measuring over 80 meters, the SS Jassim remains one of the largest wrecks visible on Google Earth. The broken ship lies on top of a coral reef and has now become an artificial reef itself.
2. MS World Discoverer – Solomon Islands
Coordinates: 9°01’22″S 160°07’22″E
The MS World Discoverer sits in the Pacific Ocean just off the shore of one of the Solomon Islands. It was a Danish cruise ship designed in 1974 for polar regions. However, its story took a dramatic turn in 2000 when it struck an uncharted reef in the Solomon Islands.
The ship’s captain sent out distress signals and navigated it to Roderick Bay, where passengers and crew were safely evacuated. There were several attempts to salvage the ship but it was unsuccessful due to the damage already caused. It was also looted during the Solomon Islands Civil War.
The World Discoverer now sits half-submerged and slowly rusting in the tropical waters, its decaying frame visible on Google Earth.
3. SS Francisco Morazan
Coordinates: 44°59’47″N 86°08’30″W
In 1960, the SS Francisco Morazan met its fate during a snowstorm, grounding on South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan. The ship was reportedly carrying 940 tons of cargo. However, due to rough weather and winds up to 40mph ultimately brought water on the ship. The crew left the ship as it is and the owner never came forward to claim the ship.
Now, it lies in the middle of the ocean as one of the famous shipwrecks visible on Google Earth. Despite repeated attempts to remove the wreck, it remains in place, standing as an eerie reminder of the dangers of navigating the Great Lakes.
Local legends add to the mystique, claiming the ship is haunted by the spirits of those who perished on Lake Michigan.
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4. SS Maheno – Fraser Island, Australia
Coordinates: 25°16’01″S 153°14’18″E
The SS Maheno was originally a luxury ocean liner turned into a hospital ship during World War I. This sunken ship on Google Earth now rests on the shores of Fraser Island, partially exposed above the sand.
For a brief period, the ship was functional as a passenger ship even after the war. It was later sold in 1935 to a ship-breaker company to be used for its scrap metal, but the ship never made it there. The ship reportedly witnessed rough weather and the ship was abandoned.
The crew was found stranded on the beach of Fraser Island and the ship was never recovered. Today, Google Earth allows a clear view of this rusted relic.
5. SS Benwood – Key Largo, Florida, USA
Coordinates: 25°03’08″N 80°19’55″W
The SS Benwood, a Norwegian merchant freighter, sank in 1942 after a collision with another vessel, the Robert C. Tuttle, while navigating in a blackout zone during World War II. It was a 360-foot-long vessel that was built in England in 1910. The Tuttle survived as it was bigger and newer.
The ship was abandoned by the crew. However, it became of use to the U.S. Army for aerial target practice after World War II. The wreck now rests on the ocean floor off Key Largo in Florida’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and has become a haven for marine life and divers alike.
Although damaged by hurricanes and erosion over time, the Benwood’s steel hull is still visible on Google Earth, offering an eerie, coral-encrusted snapshot of the vessel’s final resting place.
6. Garden of Eden Shipwreck – Shatt al-Arab, Iraq
Coordinates: 30°32’28″N 47°49’46″E
This shipwreck is located along the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Iraq, also known as the Arvand Rud river that forms the border between Iran and Iraq near the Persian Gulf. This capsized vessel has earned the name “Garden of Eden Shipwreck” due to its proximity to the region historically associated with the Garden of Eden.
Apparently, this river is infamous for being a graveyard for ships. According to the General Company of Ports of Iraq, there are around 36 sunken ships in the same waterway.
The vessel lies partially submerged in the shallow, murky waters, presenting a haunting and mysterious silhouette.
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These are some of the famous shipwrecks you can see on the Google Earth shipwrecks layer. These shipwreck coordinates let you discover history that goes far beyond the seas. Google Earth’s satellite imagery opens up unexplained shipwrecks to people worldwide, fostering interest in maritime archaeology and the rich, sometimes dark, tales of lost vessels.
