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Shipwreck Discoveries from 2016 - Wrecks Found Around the World

By Tim Briggs | Created On September 30, 2016
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Shipwreck Discoveries from 2016 - Wrecks Found Around the World

History surfaces for scuba divers more and more every day, which is why the editors at Scuba Diving magazine try to feature the last wrecks that have been purpose-sunk or discovered in the past few months. Take a look at these new wrecks, and find the best wreck dives around the world here.

TBM-1C Avenger WWII plane discovered in Palau

An aircraft from World War II was discovered in Palau, and it has been identified as a TBM-1C Avenger.

Courtesy Scripps Institution of Oceanography/USCD/Eric Terrill, PH.D.

Discovered: TBM-1C Avenger World War II Aircraft

Location: Palau Depth: 85 feet Access: Divable

After it crashed into the ­Pacific in 1944, the location of this WWII-era American aircraft remained a mystery. That is, until a team of researchers and underwater robots joined the search. University of Delaware scientists located the ­Avenger along Palau’s chain of ­islands, hidden by thick mangroves and laden with coral. ­Combining historical data, state-of-the-art sonar, thermal ­cameras and unmanned robotics, Project Recover is led by scientists who are seeking to locate ­American servicemen who have been MIA since wartime.


Discovered: Boston Merchant Buried on Land

Location: Boston
Depth: On land
Access: No tanks required

A merchant supply ship from the 1800s has been discovered — on land. This past May, construction workers in Boston’s ­Seaport District unearthed the sunken, burned vessel while digging a plot of land planned for an office building. Excavation of the area has been halted until archaeologists can further examine the 50-foot ship. However, initial research and 3-D scans date the wooden vessel to the 19th century. Uncommon for most wreck discoveries of this nature, the ship’s cargo is mostly intact, and includes barrels filled with lime. No historical significance has been reported, but this is the first time that a shipwreck has been found in that section of Boston. For updates on the ship, use hashtag #SeaportShipwreck on social media.


Discovered: HMS P311 Submarine

Location: Sardinia, Italy
Depth: 328 feet
Access: Not divable

An Italian diver claims to have located the British sub HMS P311, which left ­Malta on December 28, 1942, ­carrying 71 servicemen. The ­275-foot vessel vanished ­without a trace, perhaps due to a collision with a mine. The sub was ID’d as the P311 by two Chariot-style manned torpedoes affixed to the vessel. The victims’ bodies are believed to still be sealed ­inside; the vessel’s interior has not been explored.

Ancient Roman Shipwreck Discovered Artifacts Found

A Roman shipwreck has been discovered off the coast of Israel roughly 1,600 years after it sank. Among the well-preserved artifacts discovered are pottery and tools.

Dan Baility/AP Photo

Discovered: Ancient Roman Shipwreck

Location: Caesarea National Park, Israel
Depth: Within recreational limits
Access: Divable

An ancient Roman ­shipwreck has been found 1,600 years after it sank. In April, recreational scuba divers Ran Feinstein and Ofer Ra’anan spotted an iron anchor and a small sculpture in the ­Mediterranean. Successive archaeological dives revealed a wealth of incredibly well-preserved artifacts, including statues, nails from the ship’s hull and pottery, making this the largest discovery of its kind in 30 years.