Eagle (Wreck)

The Eagle is an 88-metre former Dutch freighter (originally Aaro, later Eagle Tire Company purchase) sunk in December 1985 about three nautical miles north of Alligator Reef Light off Islamorada. She landed on her starboard side at 34 metres and stayed essentially intact until Hurricane Georges in September 1998 tore the wreck into two large sections that now lie close together on the sand. The break has actually made the wreck more interesting: divers can swim through the gap, peer into open holds and follow the spine of the ship along the sand. Depths run from about 21 metres on the highest point of the structure to 34 metres at the keel. Goliath grouper, large jewfish, schools of horse-eye jacks and barracudas use the wreck as a permanent station, and bull sharks are sometimes seen during the cooler winter months. Currents are usually moderate and visibility ranges from 15 to 25 metres depending on Gulf Stream meanders.