Underwater Minnesota

USS Essex 2007 Site Survey

In Sept. 2007, MinnesotaShipwrecks.org took part in a brief site survey of the Essex site in conjunction with Maritime Heritage Minnesota (http://www.maritimeheritagemn.org/).

 

Since the 1997 site survey, the wreckage exhibited significant deterioration.  There currently is no portion of the wreck visible on the shore, but a portion of the wreck is visible underwater just below the surf line.

 

Portions of the wreck noted in the 1997 survey are now missing due to ice damage and/or vandalism.  It appears that a section of the hull approximately 50 feet in length is intact, with approximately 30 feet exposed at the time of the survey. 

  

 

Framework of the USS Essex

Diver on the Essex

Copper fastener on the Essex frame

Framework of the Essex

Framework of the Essex