Revision 7/20/2008 2:22 AM
Year Built 1884 Date Sunk 6 May 1888 Previous Name None Depth 115 feet Gross Tonnage 3,531 Dimensions 351’ x 42’ x 32’ Vessel Type Freighter Power Coal-fired Steam Builder Wm. Cramp & Sons Official Designation None Owner Southern Development Location 26875.5 Home Port New York City Location 41243.8 Cause of Sinking Collision w/SS Benison Location 50 miles offshore
In Brief
Along with it’s cargo this wreck was worth "in excess of a million dollars" and after salvage and demolition was forgotten for 100 years when Michael Boring, anchored on an unidentified wreck in 1990.
Captain Boring, after anchoring his diveboat "Sea Hunter", found the capstand of the wreck on his first dive and identified the wreck as the remains of the Eureka.
The wreck is upright with the with relief provided by the engine, boilers, and the bow which is completely intact.
Local divers have recovered hundreds of pieces of the china dolls that the ship was transporting, as well as portholes, dental cream, inkwells buttons and hinges.
Source "Shipwrecks of Virginia" Gary Gentile 1992