About Revisions Essex Block Island, RI More Info Max Depth: 26-30ft/8-9m Average Viz: 11-15ft/3-5m Entry Type: Boat Bottom Composition: Clay/Muck Aquatic Life: Might See Something Spring: 50-55°F/10-13°C Summer: 61-65°F/16-18°C Fall: 56-60°F/13-16°C Winter: 50-55°F/10-13°C 5/08/2014 7:27 AM LatitudeAdjustment

Essex is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Block Island, RI. The maximum depth is 26-30ft/8-9m. The average visibility is 11-15ft/3-5m.

41-08-58N / 71-32-54W ? ¼ mile southeast of Southeast Point lighthouse, inside can buoy #1, wreck symbol marked on NOAA chart

From shipwreckexpo.com/neshipwreckessex.htm
The steamer Essex was built in 1890. On September 25 1941 she ran aground on the remains of the Lightburne, which had gone aground on the same site two years earlier. Now in grave trouble on the southeast end of Block Island, Captain Anderson steamed forward and grounded his ship in shallow water. The only other alternative would have been to back off and sink in deep water. The wreck can now be found in 25 to 30 feet of water just west of the Lightburn wreck.