Arratoon Apcar Wreck

Arratoon Apcar is an iron-hulled steamer wreck near Fowey Rocks, lying in 10–20 feet of water. It is one of the six wrecks mapped along Biscayne's Maritime Heritage Trail. You reach the site by boat, then snorkel or dive; make it part of an offshore trip if an underwater history stop is what you're after.

The coral-covered lower hull, iron beams, and pieces of the rudder and mast still show through. Fish gather around the shallow wreck. Snorkelers can look down on the structure from above, while divers can take a closer look among the beams. For an underwater photo, include an iron rib beside the coral so the ship's outline reads clearly.

James Henderson and Son built the 1,480-ton steamer in Renfrew, Scotland, in 1861. It was named for Arratoon Apcar, founder of Apcar and Co., an Armenian family business in Bombay that dealt in furniture. The family acquired a larger vessel with the same name in 1872; this wreck is the original ship.

The steamer grounded near Fowey Rocks in 1878 while the lighthouse was under construction. After three days trying to pump it out, the crew left by lifeboat; the Tappahannock rescued the captain and all 24 crew. Foul winter weather left the coal-laden ship a total loss by March.