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USS Massachusetts
 Pensacola, FL
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Max Depth: 26-30ft/8-9m
Average Viz: 21-25ft/6-8m
Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Rating: 3.56 by 9 divers
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USS Massachusetts is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Pensacola, FL. This dive site has an average rating of 3.56 out of 5 from 9 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 26-30ft/8-9m. The average visibility is 21-25ft/6-8m.
Commissioned on June 10, 1896, the Massachusetts was a huge 350-foot steam-powered battleship launched in an era still dominated by wooden ships. She was dedicated as an underwater archaeological preserve on June 10, 1993.
From FB: "Diving the worst battleship ever built, the U.S.S. Massachusetts: Today, the ship is an Underwater Archaeological Preserve managed by the state of Florida. The rusting hulk is considered the oldest battleship still in existence. Knowing a little of the history of this particular ship, a failure of almost comical proportions. Chief among the flaws on the Massachusetts was this: if you turned both of the giant 13-inch gun turrets to shoot at an enemy on one side of the boat, the weight of the gun barrels caused the entire ship to list so severely to that side that much of the deck and many of the other guns on board would go underwater. Unfortunately, it turned out the armor was placed too low and did little to protect most of the vessel. The Massachusetts nearly sank three separate times after hitting submerged objects in Florida, New York and Maine. The Massachusetts had so little freeboard, it was constantly in danger of being awash in the most moderate of seas, even before the guns were turned to the side."