Wreckhunter.net

Hunting New England Shipwrecks

Argo Merchant

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 argomerchant-noaa.jpg (31275 bytes)

argo1.jpg (24437 bytes)

Argo Merchant
(NOAA archives)

 Argo Merchant
off Nantucket

ArgoMerchant-Jeff Goodreau.jpg (89140 bytes)

ArgoMerchant-nyt-22dec1976.jpg (137495 bytes)

Argo Merchant afloat
(Jeff Goodreau collection)
Report on breakup

Report on vessel's breakup
New York Times
22 December 1976

The table below provides historical and statistical data on the vessel. Some of the information may be incomplete. If you have additions or corrections, please e-mail us at the address listed below.

Shipwreck Data

Vessel Name Argo Merchant
Other Names  
Vessel Type Tanker
Owner Thebes Shipping Company (Monrovia, Liberia)
Length / Beam / Draft (feet) 640' /  /
Tonnage  
Hull Construction Steel
Propulsion Diesel / Screw
Cargo 7.6 million gallons of #6 oil
Built 1953
Date of Loss December 15, 1976
Reason for Loss Grounded on shoal and broke up
Fatalities None
Location Fishing Rip Shoal, 30 miles Southeast of Nantucket, MA
Coordinates (Lat/Lon) 41-00.707 N / 69°-27.166 W
41-00.420 N / 69°-27.120 W
Coordinates (Loran C)  
Water Depth (feet) 60'
Typical Visibility (feet)  
Wreck Condition Broken in half, mostly intact
Diving Considerations Strong current area and dangerous dive site
Other Information The Argo Merchant sinking was one of the worst oil spill disasters in U.S. history.
Attention Divers
The information on this page was obtained from a variety of sources. Although we have attempted to make it as accurate as possible, it may contain errors.  For your personal safety, use extreme caution when diving on this wreck.

For more information on this wreck's location and history, and water and diving conditions in the area, contact local dive shop personnel, dive charter boat operators and local fishermen. Also check out the other shipwreck Websites listed on our Favorite Links page.


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