SS COPENHAGEN SHIPWRECK

By  Mike Miller July 22, 2025

The SS Copenhagen is a shipwreck off Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida. This British cargo steamer sank in 1900.

Now a Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve, it rests in shallow waters.

Divers and snorkelers visit to explore its remains and marine life. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

SS Copenhagen Underwater

Built in Sunderland, England, in 1898, the SS Copenhagen was a 325-foot steel steamship. On May 20, 1900, it left Philadelphia for Havana, Cuba, carrying 4,940 tons of coal.

Six days later, it struck a reef three-quarters of a mile off Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Captain William Jones was blamed for improper navigation.

The crew and locals tried to unload the coal to free the ship. Salvage efforts failed when crews were called to the Hoboken Docks Fire.

The ship was abandoned. It remained visible above water for decades. During World War II, Navy pilots used it for target practice.

In 1994, it became Florida’s fifth underwater archaeological preserve. 

The SS Copenhagen lies 0.75 miles off Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, at GPS coordinates 26°12.349’N, 80°05.108’W.

It’s in 15-30 feet of water, accessible by boat or a long swim from shore. The site is open year-round, free of charge.

No anchoring is allowed, but mooring buoys are nearby.

Local dive shops like South Florida Diving Headquarters and Gold Coast Scuba offer trips. Call for dive bookings.

Bring a dive flag if swimming from shore (it’s the law). Waterproof dive maps are available at Town Hall or Gold Coast Scuba.

Morning dives offer better visibility. Check the town’s website or beach cams for updates. 

• The wreck’s anchor sits at the southern end, a favorite spot for underwater photographers.  

• Sea fans, corals, and sponges cover the wreck, blending it with the reef.  

• Marine life includes moray eels, parrotfish, nurse sharks, and juvenile sea turtles. 

• A bronze plaque south of the wreck marks its status as an underwater preserve.  

• The Copenhagen attracts over 10,000 divers and snorkelers annually, making it Florida’s most visited underwater preserve.

LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA WEBSITE