wreck

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ELIHU B WASHBURNE

The Elihu B Washburne holds a certain gravity, a real piece of history lying deep in Arraial do Cabo. This isn't just a sunken boat; it's a Liberty Ship, torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1943. We often feel a chill, thinking about its final moments as we descend. At 49 meters, it’s a serious dive, one we’d only recommend for experienced wreck divers comfortable with depth and dark interiors. The sheer scale of the Elihu B Washburne is what gets you. At over 134 meters long, you could spend multiple dives just exploring different sections. We love dropping down to the stern, finding the massive propeller still largely intact, and then slowly working our way along the deck. The bow section, where the torpedo hit, is particularly dramatic, twisted metal telling its violent story. Inside, schools of snappers often swarm the cargo holds, and we've spotted the occasional large grouper lurking in the darker corners. Visibility can be a bit variable, so pick your day, but when it's good, seeing that entire silhouette emerge from the blue is a powerful sight.