Historical and current New York and New Jersey Shipwreck Information and images for scuba
divers and fisherman.
CITY OF ATHENS
The 3,648 ton steamer City of Athens was built in 1911 by the New
York Shipbuilding Co. She was 331feet long, had a 40 foot beam and
was originally christened the Somerset.
On May 1, 1918 the City Of Athens went down in a dense fog after
being rammed by the French warship La Glorie. "The steel hull of
the warship cut through the side of the steamer like paper, making a
huge hole" She went down rapidly taking over 65 people with her to a
watery grave.
Today the wreck sits in 110 feet of water 20 miles out of Hereford
Inlet NJ. The wrecks four boilers and massive engine provide the
sites highest relief. This wreck is also known as the Refrigerator
Wreck due to the how chilly waters surrounding the wreck usually
are.
City of Athens. Courtesy Dan Berg Wreck Valley Collection.
Bottles recovered from the City of Athens. Courtesy Dan Berg Wreck Valley Collection.
City of Athens. Courtesy Dan Berg Wreck Valley Collection.
Shipwreck
Expo Free Newsletter
Sign up for our free e-mail shipwreck, diving and Treasure
Hunting newsletter. Capt. Dan Berg has designed this e-mail
service for all wreck divers, maritime historians and
treasure hunters.
The 3,648 ton steamer City of Athens was built in 1911 by the New
York Shipbuilding Co. She was 331feet long, had a 40 foot beam and
was originally christened the Somerset. 
