SS Central America
Sidewheel Steamship · United States · Lost 1857 · The Georgia & South Carolina Coast
The Ship of Gold, lost in an 1857 hurricane with hundreds of lives and a fortune in California gold aboard.
Thomas Gregory Williams
See Shipwreck on Map
The Vessel and Her Loss
Built in 1853 as the George Law, the sidewheel steamship Central America carried passengers and California gold between Panama and New York. In September 1857 she foundered in a hurricane off the Carolina coast with the loss of more than four hundred lives, and the disappearance of her gold shipment contributed to a financial panic. The wreck was located in deep water in 1988, and recovery of her cargo drew years of attention and litigation.
Vessel
- 1853
- Not established
- Not established
- Wood
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Steam, sidewheels
- Not established
Loss
- September 12, 1857
- Storm
- Atlantic Ocean, off the Carolina coast
- Atlantic Ocean
- Havana, Cuba → New York
- California gold
- Not established
- More than four hundred people were lost; published totals vary.
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- About 7,200 feet
- Deep water site, partly excavated by remotely operated vehicles.
- Not established
- 1988
- Not established
Position
- 31.40° N 77.10° W
- Reported, unconfirmed
- Offshore of Charleston, South Carolina
Reported general position far offshore; precise coordinates are not published here.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (85/100)
The precise position is not published, and casualty totals vary between accounts.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration maritime heritage records
Loss and site information.
Published histories of the Central America and her recovery
Voyage, casualties, discovery and salvage.
