Hatteras, North Carolina – Shallow shoals, shifting sandbars and inclement weather have long posed a threat for ships navigating the waters off the North Carolina coast. Near Cape Hatteras, the Diamond Shoals are particularly treacherous. As evidence, the seafloor is strewn with thousands of shipwrecks, earning the nickname “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Some of the most fascinating were casualties of German submarines that plied the so-called "Torpedo Junction” during World War II. (And yes, more than a few of the German subs are now at the bottom of the Atlantic too).
Sadly, high winds and waves canceled my scheduled wreck dive outing this weekend, which was a big disappointment.
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is not as cool as diving on the wrecks, but it is pretty cool. Artifacts, photographs and video footage bring the history to life – not just the disasters, but also the heroic lifesaving efforts of local villagers. You can also check out interesting video footage about maritime archeology – and sometimes observe ongoing preservation efforts.
