The 5 Most Famous Shipwrecks in Outer Banks History

The Outer Banks are 200 miles of islands off the coast of North Carolina and Virginia. The Outer Banks is a very popular tourist spot as there is a lot to do, including visiting the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Not only can you swim, view wildlife, and visit cultural sites, but also dive! The Outer Banks has many excellent diving spots, many of which are old shipwrecks. Follow along to discover the 5 most famous shipwrecks in Outer Banks’ history!

Are Shipwrecks Common in the Outer Banks?

Shipwrecks are common in the Outer Banks. Experts estimate there are about 3,000 shipwrecks in the Other Banks, some you can track here. There are so many shipwrecks, that this area is called the Graveyard of the Atlantic. It’s difficult and even dangerous to navigate within the waters of the Outer Banks. The Diamond Shoals are partly to blame. These underwater, shallow, shoals are constantly changing sand bars. Also, dangerous storms, like hurricanes have caused many shipwrecks. Interestingly, piracy was also a big problem along the coast of the Outer Banks.

Discover the 5 Most Famous Shipwrecks in Outer Banks History

With over 3,000 shipwrecks in Outer Banks, it’s hard to decide which are the best or most famous. Here we’ve narrowed it down to six famous shipwrecks in Outer Banks.

The G.A. Kohler

The first shipwreck on our list is the G.A. Kohler. Sometimes, when the tide is low, you can see the remains of the G.A. Kohler on the stretch between Avan and Salvo. Previously, this ship was named the Charles S. Gawthrop. This ship was active starting in 1919. So, when and how did the G.A. Kohler crash? This ship’s last voyage began in Baltimore, Maryland on August 20, 1933. The G.A. Kohler was heading to Haiti when it passed by a hurricane. The high-speed winds of this hurricane stripped the ship’s sails bare. Eventually, the ship crashed into the beach. The crew was rescued after the winds died down, but the ship was unsalvageable.

The USS Huron

Another shipwreck in Outer Banks is the USS Huron. This is one of the most famous shipwrecks in the Outer Banks and is a hot diving spot. The USS Huron was a 175-foot iron-hulled gunboat of the United States Navy. It was launched in 1875, and two years later, was wrecked due to bad weather near Nags Head, North Carolina on its way to Cuba. Sadly, the wreck took the lives of 98 crew members. The USS Huron is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a popular diving spot often marked by a buoy in the summer. While here, divers can see lots of sea life like sea turtles, starfish, and many fish species.

The Mirlo

The Mirlo is another fascinating shipwreck in the Outer Banks. This ship was a large British tanker. On the tanker was gasoline, which resulted in a massive explosion. Somehow, 42 of the 52 crew members on the Mirlo survived. The most amazing part of this shipwreck though is the rescue. The Chicamacomico Coast Guard Station worked tirelessly to rescue the men, well into the night.

The Laura A. Barnes

Have you ever heard of Laura A. Barnes? This shipwrecked on June 1, 1921. Visitors can see the remains of this ship, which were relocated, in Coquina Beach by the Bodie Island Lighthouse. This wooden four-masted schooner was built by the R.L. Bean Shipyard in Camden, Maine. It could carry up to 530 tons of cargo. On the night the ship wrecked on Bodie Island, it was not carrying cargo. The weather was rough and there was thick fog.

The Boiler Wreck

Another famous shipwreck in Outer Banks is the Boiler, also known as the Oriental. This wreck is on the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge. You can see a piece of this wreck sticking out of the water. It’s a great diving spot for experienced divers but can pose a challenge with the surrounding rocky waters.

So, why did this ship sink? Sadly, the Oriental was wrecked in May of 1862. The ship sank at 11:55 p.m. with many supplies and about 30,000 letters to servicemen. Thankfully, no one died, but the ship was unsalvageable and still to this day remains underwater. There are two theories as to why the Oriental went down. One theory suggests the captain fell asleep, while the other theory indicates there was something wrong with the ship’s compass.