diver examining the shipwreck two brothers

NOAA diver Dr. Kelly Keogh examines artifacts from the wreck of Two Brothers, a whale ship found in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Photo: Greg McFall/NOAA

Our Underwater Heritage

National marine sanctuaries are some of the greatest museums of our seafaring nation. Prehistoric sites, shipwrecks and naval battlefields are all found within these protected areas.

 

multibeam sonar survey of the USS Conestoga, Greater Farallones NMS
Multibeam sonar survey of the USS Conestoga, Greater Farallones NMS. Credit: NOAA/Fugro
wreck of the city of Washington, Florida Keys NMS
City of Washington, Florida Keys NMS. Photo: NOAA
wreck of Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawks near the USS Macon, Monterey Bay NMS
Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawks near the USS Macon, Monterey Bay NMS. Photo: MBARI-NOAA/Monterey Bay NMS-Ken Israel Integral Consulting Inc.
wreck of the SB2C-1C Curtiss Helldiver, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS

SB2C-1C Curtiss Helldiver, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS. Photo: Hans Van Tilburg/NOAA

sidescan sonar survey of Frank A. Palmer and Louise B. Crary, Stellwagen Bank NMS
Sidescan sonar survey of Frank A. Palmer and Louise B. Crary, Stellwagen Bank NMS. Credit: NOAA
wreck of Paul Palmer, Stellwagen Bank NMS
Paul Palmer, Stellwagen Bank NMS. Photo: Matthew Lawrence/NOAA
diver near the wreck of Avenger, Channel Islands NMS
Avenger, Channel Islands NMS. Photo: Robert Schwemmer/NOAA