Our Underwater Heritage

National marine sanctuaries are some of the greatest museums of our seafaring nation. Prehistoric sites, shipwrecks and naval battlefields are all found within these protected areas.

Multibeam sonar survey of the USS Conestoga, Greater Farallones NMS. Credit: NOAA/Fugro

wreck of the city of Washington, Florida Keys NMS

City of Washington, Florida Keys NMS. Photo: NOAA

wreck of Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawks near the USS Macon, Monterey Bay NMS

Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawks near the USS Macon, Monterey Bay NMS. Photo: MBARI-NOAA/Monterey Bay NMS-Ken Israel Integral Consulting Inc.

wreck of the SB2C-1C Curtiss Helldiver, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS

SB2C-1C Curtiss Helldiver, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS. Photo: Hans Van Tilburg/NOAA

Sidescan sonar survey of Frank A. Palmer and Louise B. Crary, Stellwagen Bank NMS. Credit: NOAA

wreck of Paul Palmer, Stellwagen Bank NMS

Paul Palmer, Stellwagen Bank NMS. Photo: Matthew Lawrence/NOAA

diver near the wreck of Avenger, Channel Islands NMS

Avenger, Channel Islands NMS. Photo: Robert Schwemmer/NOAA