USS San Diego
Explore one of the most well-known wreck dives in the Northeast and the only U.S. Naval ship lost during World War I.
A Legendary Wreck Beneath the Surface
The USS San Diego was originally commissioned as the USS California before being renamed in 1914. Built by Union Iron Works in San Francisco, the armored cruiser entered service in 1907 and served in both the Pacific and Atlantic fleets.
In July 1918, while serving as a convoy escort off the coast of New York, the ship was struck by an explosion believed to have been caused by a mine laid by German submarine U-156. The USS San Diego sank within 20 minutes, making it the only U.S. Naval ship lost during World War I.
Today, the wreck lies upside down about eleven miles southeast of Fire Island Inlet, Long Island, in approximately 115 feet of water. It remains one of the most popular advanced wreck dives in the region and attracts divers from across the Northeast.
This historic site offers experienced divers the chance to explore a remarkable piece of naval history beneath the surface.
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