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Hunting New England Shipwrecks

USS Galena

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galena-1880-us-navy.jpg (63383 bytes)

galena-nina-header.jpg (58002 bytes)

USS Galena
was a steam sloop
(U.S. Navy photo)

Newspaper report on the
Galena and Nina grounding
(Author's collection)

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 USS Galena 
Other Names  
Vessel Type Steam sloop
Owner U.S. Navy
Length / Beam / Draft (feet) 216' / 37' / 
Tonnage 1,900 DT
Hull Construction Wood
Propulsion Steam/ Screw
Cargo  
Built 1880 at Norfolk Naval Yard
Date of Loss March 13, 1891
Reason for Loss Grounded on reef in fog
Fatalities None
Location Grounded on Devil's Bridge, off Martha's Vineyard, MA; refloated several days later
Coordinates (Lat/Lon)  
Coordinates (Loran C)  
Water Depth (feet)  
Typical Visibility (feet)  
Wreck Condition  
Diving Considerations  
Other Information While towing the sloop USS Galena, the Navy tug USS Nina and the Galena both grounded in fog on Devil's Bridge reef, off Martha's Vineyard, MA, on March 13, 1891. Both vessels were refloated several days later. The Nina was repaired and put back in service, but the Galena was damaged beyond repair and was later sold for salvage. The Navy tug USS Triana, which was called to assist with the salvage effort, stranded at nearby Cuttyhunk Island and became a total wreck. To visit our data page on the USS Nina, click here. To visit our data page on the USS  Triana, click here. 
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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