wreck

Log This Dive

General Gordon Wreck

The General Gordon Wreck is an unusual beast for Florida. Not an ocean wreck at all, but a preserved steamboat, a relic of the late 19th century, lying in the cool, clear spring waters. We love the eerie preservation of it all. You can fin past the paddlewheel, still mostly intact, and even poke your head into the boiler room. It’s like diving through a ghost story. Visibility here is usually excellent, thanks to the spring water, which makes exploring the wooden hull a real treat. Look for the small, shy spring residents – we've seen plenty of freshwater eels weaving through the timbers and sunfish darting in and out of the cracks. It’s a great site for photographers, especially when the light shafts through the trees above and dances on the wreck. Our favourite time to visit is on a weekday morning; it can get busy, and you really want that quiet solitude to properly appreciate the history sinking into the mud. We'd suggest a 5mm wetsuit, even in summer, as those spring waters keep a consistent, refreshing chill.