Spiegel Grove Shipwreck, Key Largo Fl

The Spiegel Grove (LSD-32) was 510 feet in length and 85 feet in width. She was originally constructed in September 1954, launched on November 10, 1955 and commissioned on June 8, 1956. During her long and illustrious career, the Spiegel grove participated in action throughout the Caribbean Sea, Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, Panama and the Middle East, including a vital role in the original Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf. The USS Spiegel Grove was due to be intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef on May 17, 2002. Sometime during the night before her planned sinking, the Spiegel Grove sank on her own. Unfortunately, she landed in deeper water than originally planned and was upside down! On June 11, 2002, the Spiegel Grove was finally righted by turning her to her starboard side. she was now sitting in 130 feet and rises to within 50 feet of the surface. Salvage crews had used giant liftbags and steel cables to nudge it over onto its starboard side, where it was safe from passing vessels but slightly disorienting for divers to swim through. Mother nature did not allow the Spiegel Grove to stay in that awkward position for long. A Strong surge from Hurricane Dennis flipped the sunken U.S. Navy ship into the perfect upright position where she now rests a few miles off Key Largo.

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