The Triangle Shipwreck

The waters off the Outer Banks may be beautiful, but beneath the waves lies a shadowy history — thousands of shipwrecks scattered across the seafloor. Known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, this stretch of coast has claimed more than 3,000 ships over the centuries, making it one of the most shipwreck-dense areas in the world.

What makes the Outer Banks so treacherous?
The culprit is a perfect storm of geography and weather:

• Shifting sandbars, especially the infamous Diamond Shoals off Cape Hatteras, create ever-changing hazards

• Strong ocean currents (where the Gulf Stream collides with the Labrador Current)

• Sudden storms and hurricanes

• And historically, wartime battles and piracy

These factors have led to centuries of tragedy, rescue, and resilience — and today, a deep legacy of maritime lore.

The wreck of the Huron

🧭 Key Shipwrecks in OBX History

Here are a few of the most famous (and fascinating) shipwrecks off the Outer Banks:

• USS Monitor (1862) – The Union’s ironclad Civil War ship sank during a storm off Cape Hatteras. It now rests under federal protection.

• Carroll A. Deering (1921) – Often called a “ghost ship,” this schooner ran aground on Diamond Shoals under mysterious circumstances with its crew missing.

• Laura A. Barnes (1921) – This schooner wrecked near Coquina Beach and its remains can still be seen at low tide.

• Huron (1877) – A Navy gunboat that sank off Nags Head during a storm, with heavy loss of life. The wreck is now a popular dive site.

• U-85 (1942) – A German submarine sunk by the U.S. Navy off the coast of Kill Devil Hills during WWII. It was the first U-boat sunk by the U.S. off the East Coast.

• Metropolis (1878) – One of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in U.S. history. It wrecked near Currituck, resulting in nearly 100 lives lost.

These wrecks are more than just history—they are popular with divers, photographers, and anyone who appreciates a good maritime mystery.

The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum on Hatteras Island

🏛️ Visit the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

To dive deeper into the stories behind these shipwrecks, a visit to the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras Village is a must. Admission is free, and the museum features:

• Shipwreck artifacts and recovered cargo

• Exhibits on piracy, wartime battles, and lifesaving stations

• Interactive displays and storytelling for all ages

🛥️ Want to Explore for Yourself?

• Shoreline sights: Some wrecks, like the Laura A. Barnes, are visible from land.

• Scuba diving: Several Outer Banks dive operators offer trips to wreck sites like the Huron or U-85.

• Boat tours: Historical and eco-tours often pass over wreck zones with narration from experienced guides.

🌊 Final Thought

Whether you're a history buff, a scuba diver, or just love a good mystery, the shipwrecks of the Outer Banks offer a unique lens into the region’s soul — a mix of danger, adventure, and the unbreakable human spirit that’s defined this coastline for centuries.

Have you ever seen a shipwreck on the OBX? Tell us about it in the comments!