Shipwrecks

The bow of Titanic photographed in June 2004, by the ROV Hercules during an expedition returning to the shipwreck of the Titanic.
The sinking of the Titanic, where three times more women than men survived, popularized what has now been found to be a myth, that women and children are saved first in shipwrecks. (Image credit: NOAA / Institute for Exploration/University of Rhode Island)

The most famous shipwreck in history is probably the Titanic, which lies on the seafloor in the North Atlantic Ocean. But shipwrecks are as old as sea voyages, and sunken ships have been found at the seafloor all over the world, from ancient Greek vessels in the Mediterranean to Civil War battle ships off the U.S. East Coast. Divers look for shipwrecks to salvage valuable artifacts and to learn more about past cultures. Read about the latest shipwreck discoveries and see pictures of sunken ships below.

Latest about shipwrecks

Set of gold coins recovered from historic shipwreck

Coins worth over $1 million recovered from 1715 Spanish treasure shipwrecks in Florida

By Kristina Killgrove published

Authorities in Florida have recovered 37 coins worth over $1 million stolen from an 18th-century Spanish shipwreck.

Archaeology
Two scuba divers swim to a shipwreck

'It is a treasure': Wreck off Kenyan coast may be from Vasco da Gama's final voyage

By Tom Metcalfe published

Researchers think the wreck was part of a flotilla that accompanied the Portuguese explorer's final voyage.

Archaeology
an underwater view of a shipwreck

Scientists glean new details of mysterious, centuries-old shipwreck submerged in Norway's largest lake

By Tom Metcalfe published

Researchers now think the boat was a local "føringsbåt" for passengers and cargo.

Archaeology
An underwater submarine wreck

WWII British sub that sank with 64 on board finally found off Greek Island

By Tom Metcalfe published

The discovery of the WWII wreck solves an 81-year-old mystery about the submarine's fate.

Archaeology
A sonar image of the bottom of Lake Michigan. We see splodges on the lakebed that researchers recently identified as holes.

Scientists confirm there are 40 huge craters at the bottom of Lake Michigan

By Sascha Pare published

Researchers recently surveyed the bottom of Lake Michigan after spotting strange circles on the lakebed in 2022. New observations show the circles are craters, but how they formed remains unclear.

Geology
An underwater photo of a shipwreck with sea life growing along it

World War I British warship that sank in a surprise U-boat attack 110 years ago discovered in North Sea

By Tom Metcalfe published

HMS Hawke sank after an explosion caused by an enemy torpedo, with the loss of more than 500 of its crew.

Archaeology
We see a bird's-eye view of a long broke military ship floating at the end of a dock on a beach.

Mayday! 22 mysterious shipwrecks you can see on Google Earth

By Laura Geggel last updated

Google Earth has captured images of rotting and rusting hulls that are wasting away in shallow waters the world over.

Archaeology
A sonar-generated image showing the shape of a ship along the ocean floor

3 shipwrecks from 'forgotten battle' of World War II discovered off remote Alaskan island

By Tom Metcalfe published

This is the first time that wrecks from the almost-overlooked conflict in WWII have been studied scientifically.

Archaeology
An underwater view of hundreds of artifacts, including pieces of pottery and ceramics.

Ming dynasty shipwrecks hide a treasure trove of artifacts in the South China Sea, excavation reveals

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

Researchers have retrieved hundreds of artifacts, including porcelain items, copper coins and ornate pieces of pottery.

Archaeology
An artist's rendering of a grand shipwreck on the floor of the ocean

32 haunting shipwrecks from the ancient world

By Owen Jarus published

Shipwrecks can reveal information about traded goods and even which rituals people partook in centuries ago. Here's a look at shipwrecks from ancient times found around the world.

Archaeology
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