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Photo courtesy of David Whall for the Florida Keys
National Marine Sanctuary.
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Four ships were registered as North America during the mid 19th century. One of them, built in Bath, Maine in 1833, is probably the wreck that lies immediately north of Delta Shoal in 14 feet of water. Admiralty Court records show that a three-masted, square-rigged vessel named North America was lost on November 25, 1842 in that location. Captain Hall and his crew were assisted for three days by local wreckers saving the dry goods and furniture on board. The ship’s remains consist of a large section of wooden hull filled with ballast and partially buried in sand and turtle grass. Other features include cement between the frames, two cement barrels, and a few square copper spikes that held planking in place. Located at 24° 38.270’N and 81° 05.605’W, North America is marked by a spar buoy as part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Shipwreck Trail.
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