Eagle

The Eagle, a 287-foot freighter, traversed the seas under its original name, the Aaron K, primarily ferrying scrap paper between Miami and various South American ports. In 1985, disaster struck when a fire ravaged the ship’s electrical system, leading the insurance company to write it off as a complete loss. Anchored in the Miami River, the vessel remained idle until October of that year. It was then that a coalition of local diving enthusiasts, dive shop owners, and organizations—including the Monroe County Tourist Council, the Artificial Reef Committee, and several local businesses—came together to raise $10,000. This fund was not only to acquire the ship but also to undertake the extensive cleaning required to prepare it for its next chapter. On the 19th of December, 1985, the Miami and Dade County Bomb Squad expertly placed explosives aboard the vessel. The detonation was swift and precise, plunging the Eagle to the ocean floor in a mere 90 seconds. Now, the ship lies on its starboard side, its bow oriented towards the shoreline. Nestled in 120 feet of water atop a sandy seabed, the Eagle’s final resting place is a sight to behold. Its expansive cargo holds have transformed into cavernous spaces, where schools of fish weave in and out in a mesmerizing dance. Divers visiting the site can expect a gentle current to guide them along the wreck, with visibility fluctuating between 50 to 100 feet, offering a clear window into this underwater sanctuary.