The Brick Wreck is one of many wreck sites within Dry Tortugas National Park. These islands, shoals, and reefs have been the scene of nearly 300 shipwrecks. The proximity of these reefs to the nearby shipping lanes of the Gulf of Mexico has made them a natural “ship trap.”
There is no specific information on the circumstances surrounding the wreck. All that is known is that the grounding and loss occurred sometime between 1857, the first date that the firebricks found on the wreck were manufactured, and 1861, the last date that the yellow construction bricks were produced for the Federal government. There were at least two types of brick found on the wreck. Unmarked yellow bricks matching those used in the construction of the major parts of Fort Jefferson were found, along with refractory bricks used to line the ship's firebox. The refractory bricks are dated and have "Evens, Howard St. Louis" markings, indicating that the ship could not have sunk before 1857.
Remains indicate that it was a screw-driven, narrow-beamed, shallow-draft, flat-bottom steamboat of composite construction. The vessel had a large, six-foot, four-bladed wrought iron propeller with flared blade tips. The ship was driven onto Bird Key Bank with the engine running, whether by accident or intentionally. The bow struck the bank and "accordioned," breaking the ship into two separate pieces. After settling onto the bank, the ship was salvaged, with removal of the engine and most of the ship's machinery. Further scattering of materials resulted from storms and hurricanes.
Today, marine life is in abundance around Bird Key wreck. The paddle-like propeller and other remains provide a habitat for lobster, coral, and reef fish. This site is best explored by snorkeling in the shallow, 4-6 feet deep waters on Bird Key Bank. The wreckage and its associated coral are fragile. All shipwrecks, artifacts, and coral are protected within the park, please do not take or touch!
There is no specific information on the circumstances surrounding the wreck. All that is known is that the grounding and loss occurred sometime between 1857, the first date that the firebricks found on the wreck were manufactured, and 1861, the last date that the yellow construction bricks were produced for the Federal government. There were at least two types of brick found on the wreck. Unmarked yellow bricks matching those used in the construction of the major parts of Fort Jefferson were found, along with refractory bricks used to line the ship's firebox. The refractory bricks are dated and have "Evens, Howard St. Louis" markings, indicating that the ship could not have sunk before 1857.
Remains indicate that it was a screw-driven, narrow-beamed, shallow-draft, flat-bottom steamboat of composite construction. The vessel had a large, six-foot, four-bladed wrought iron propeller with flared blade tips. The ship was driven onto Bird Key Bank with the engine running, whether by accident or intentionally. The bow struck the bank and "accordioned," breaking the ship into two separate pieces. After settling onto the bank, the ship was salvaged, with removal of the engine and most of the ship's machinery. Further scattering of materials resulted from storms and hurricanes.
Today, marine life is in abundance around Bird Key wreck. The paddle-like propeller and other remains provide a habitat for lobster, coral, and reef fish. This site is best explored by snorkeling in the shallow, 4-6 feet deep waters on Bird Key Bank. The wreckage and its associated coral are fragile. All shipwrecks, artifacts, and coral are protected within the park, please do not take or touch!
Is there something we missed for this itinerary?
Itineraries across USA
Acadia
Arches National Park
Badlands
Big Bend
Biscayne
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison
Bryce Canyon
Canyonlands
Capitol Reef
Carlsbad Caverns
Channel Islands
Congaree
Crater Lake
Cuyahoga Valley
Death Valley
Dry Tortugas
Everglades
Gateway Arch
Glacier
Grand Canyon
Grand Teton
Great Basin
Great Smoky Mountains
Guadalupe Mountains
Haleakalā
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
Hot Springs
Indiana Dunes
Isle Royale
Joshua Tree
Kenai Fjords
Kobuk Valley
Lassen Volcanic
Mammoth Cave
Mesa Verde
Mount Rainier
North Cascades
Olympic
Petrified Forest
Pinnacles
Rocky Mountain
Saguaro
Shenandoah
Theodore Roosevelt
Virgin Islands
Voyageurs
White Sands
Wind Cave
Yellowstone
Yosemite
Zion