Schurz

Originally named the Geier, the ship was a 255 ft. long steel hulled cruiser for the German navy. The Geier was at one point interned in Hawaii for 3 years until 1917, at which time the United States entered WWI. At that point, the United States seized the Geier, renamed her the Schurz, and reoutfitted her for the navy. She collided with the SS Florida in June of 1918. This wreck at times is covered by so many bait fish that a diver can actually lose himself inside a bait ball. With so many bait fish around, grouper and amberjack (spear fishing favorites) are always close by. Many rounds of 30 caliber ammunition have been recovered from this site. New laws enacted in the past year prohibit taking any artifacts from any U.S. Naval warship!