Shipwrecks
Papahānaumokuākea possesses a rich maritime heritage stretching back many centuries. Native Hawaiian chants and oral histories tell of navigational knowledge developed over millennia, while shipwreck sites scattered throughout Papahānaumokuākea help tell the story of a more recent maritime past.
Many sailors successfully navigated their way through these remote, low lying atolls. However, these atolls also meant tragedy and danger for sailors on the 60 shipwrecks reported lost in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, the earliest dating back to 1818. Pearl and Hermes, the earliest shipwrecks discovered to date, were lost on the same night in 1822 at the atoll that now bears their name. To date, 17 of these shipwreck sites have been discovered and documented by NOAA maritime archaeologists. Exploration for the remaining shipwreck sites in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands continues.
Sailing Vessel Carrollton
Explore the remains of the three-masted sailing vessel Carrollton, a coal carrier lost on the reef at Midway Atoll in 1906.
Schooner Churchill
Discover the likely wreck site of the four-masted schooner Churchill, lost at French Frigate Shoals in 1917 while carrying copra from Tonga to Seattle.
Sailing Vessel Dunnottar Castle
Learn the story of the British sailing vessel Dunnottar Castle, whose 1886 wreck at Kure Atoll helped prompt the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi’s formal presence there.
Whaling Ship Gledstanes
Explore the remains believed to be those of the British whaler Gledstanes, lost at Kure Atoll in 1837 after its crew famously built a rescue vessel from salvaged wreckage.
Whaling Ship Hermes
Discover the wreck of the British whaler Hermes, one of two ships lost at Pearl and Hermes Atoll in 1822 and among the earliest known shipwrecks in the waters of Papahānaumokuākea.
The "Oshima" Site
Investigate an unidentified fishing vessel wreck at Pearl and Hermes Atoll, nicknamed the “Oshima” site for its distinctive Japanese-style anchors.
Whaling Ship Parker
Learn about the probable wreck of the American whaler Parker, lost in a storm at Kure Atoll in 1842 after its crew survived months as castaways.
Whaling Ship Pearl
Explore the wreck believed to be the British whaler Pearl, lost with Hermes in 1822 at the atoll that now bears their names.
Liberty Ship SS Quartette
Discover the massive wreck of the Liberty ship SS Quartette, driven onto the reef at Pearl and Hermes Atoll in 1952 while carrying grain to Korea.
Whaling Ship Two Brothers
Follow the story of the Nantucket whaleship Two Brothers, wrecked at French Frigate Shoals in 1823 under the command of Captain George Pollard Jr.
USNS Mission San Miguel
Explore the wreck of USNS Mission San Miguel, a 523-foot World War II-era tanker lost on Maro Reef in 1957 and rediscovered by NOAA in 2015.
USS Macaw
Learn about USS Macaw, a World War II submarine rescue and salvage vessel lost at Midway Atoll in 1944 during an attempt to aid a stranded submarine.
USS Saginaw
Discover the remains of USS Saginaw, the first naval vessel built on the West Coast, wrecked at Kure Atoll in 1870 after a dramatic castaway rescue story.