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Hunting New England Shipwrecks
Argo Merchant
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Argo Merchant
(NOAA archives)Argo Merchant
off Nantucket
Argo Merchant afloat
(Jeff Goodreau collection)Report on breakupReport on vessel's breakup
New York Times
22 December 1976The 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.
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Shipwreck Data |
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| 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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