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Wreck of the Eagle
 Islamorada, FL
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Max Depth: 101-110ft/31-34m
Average Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m
Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Rating: 4.37 by 30 divers
Winter: 76-80°F/24-27°C
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Wreck of the Eagle is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Islamorada, FL. This dive site has an average rating of 4.37 out of 5 from 30 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 101-110ft/31-34m. The average visibility is 36-40ft/11-12m.
The Eagle lies on her starboard side in 110 feet of water three miles northeast of Alligator Reef Light off Lower Matecumbe Key, Islamorada, FL. On the night of December 19, 1985, while waiting to be sunk as an artificial reef next to the Alexander Barge, the Eagle broke from her moorings. Her port anchor was dropped to prevent further drifting in the current and she was sunk at that spot.
History:
The Eagle, then known as the Raila Dan, was launched at Werf-Gorinchem, Holland, in December 1962 as a conventional hull freighter. She had several owners and seven name changes after her launching. On October 6, 1985, she caught fire. Two U.S. Coast Guard cutters responded to her distress call, but the ship’s superstructure was destroyed. After being declared a total loss, the Florida Keys Artificial Reef Association purchased her for $30,000 and Joe Teitelbaum, a private citizen, donated another $20,000 to help create an artificial reef. The ship was then named the Eagle Tire Company, and was cleaned, gutted of all wooden parts, and all oil and fuel was removed to protect the marine life in the area.
Archaeology:
The Eagle has a number of interesting structural features that make it a notable dive attraction. A large anchor chain exits the hawse pipe on the port bow, and continues a considerable distance before disappearing in the sand. Two large mast assemblies rest on the bottom. One is set on the forecastle; the other, amidships between cargo bays. Each has its own ladder and observation platform in place. Toward the stern there is a tandem set of cargo booms. Heat damage from the fire can be observed in the stern quarter. The deck railings at 70 feet, and her propeller and rudder at 110 feet, are still intact. In 1998, the Eagle was broken in two by Hurricane Georges.
Marine Life Commonly Observed on this Site:
Watch for these fish: grouper, snapper, cobia, amberjacks, silversides, and grunts. Look for these plants and bottom dwelling organisms: green algae, sponges, sea rods, sea whips, black coral, branching fire coral, and starlet coral.