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The City of Athens (origonally named the Somerset was struck by the French cruiser La Gloire at 1:10 A.M. on May 1, 1918. The City of Athens sank within 7 minutes after being hit. One of the lifeboats capsized drowning it's occupants, helping to contribute to the loss of 67 lives. All 68 survivors were taken aboard the La Gloria This incident was highly publisized due to controversy over the details leading to the collision and the (still unresolved) claims against the French and U.S. government. There were many acts of heroism during the sinking, including the manning of his post by telegraph operator F.J. Doherty, who went down with the ship typing S.O.S.

This wreck is a fantastic artifact source. Cases of ammo are spilled all over the place. There are many pharmaceutical bottles, rifles, glassware, brass locks, flashlights, china, searchlights, guages, beer bottles, and Magnolia antifriction bars. Lobsters are frequently caught here.

BUILT: 1911

VESSEL TYPE: PASSENGER FREIGHTER

DIMENSIONS: 309'x 46'x 19'

GROSS TONNAGE: 3,648

POWER: COAL FIRED STEAM

BUILDER: NEW YORK SHIP BUILDING CO., CAMDEN, NJ

OWNER: OCEAN STEAMSHIP COMPANY OF SAVANNAH, GE

PORT OF REGISTRY: NEW YORK, NY

CAUSE OF SINKING: COLLISION WITH FRENCH CRUISER LA GLOIRE

SUNK: MAY 1, 1918

DEPTH: 110'

LOCATION: 26920.3/42705.3

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