C-54 Agustín Melgar
Minesweeper · Mexico · Lost 2000 · The Sea of Cortez
A World War II minesweeper that fought at Okinawa, later serving Mexico's Navy before being sunk in 2000 as a reef within Loreto Bay National Park.
The Vessel and Her Loss
Built in 1944 as USS Device, this Admirable-class minesweeper served as an escort and patrol vessel during the Battle of Okinawa. After later service with the Mexican Navy as C-54 Agustín Melgar, she was deliberately sunk in 2000 south of Puerto Escondido to create an artificial reef within Loreto Bay National Park, where she remains a little-known dive site.
Vessel
- 1944
- C-54; formerly AM-220
- Not established
- Tampa, Florida
- Steel
- 185 ft
- 33 ft
- Not established
- Diesel, twin screw
- United States Navy (originally); Mexican Navy
Loss
- January 1, 2000
- Intentional sinking
- South of Puerto Escondido, within Loreto Bay National Park, Baja California Sur
- Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez)
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- 0
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- 80 ft
- Intact and colonized with coral growth
- Not established
- Not established
- Within Loreto Bay National Park
Position
- 25.75° N 111.30° W
- Approximate position
- Puerto Escondido, near Loreto
Approximated to the reported location south of Puerto Escondido within Loreto Bay National Park.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Partially documented (55/100)
Some details of her Mexican Navy service years and the exact circumstances of her decommissioning are not established in the sources reviewed.
Blue Nation Baja, "The History of the C-54 Agustín Melgar"
Build details, WWII service history, and 2000 sinking as an artificial reef.
