Discovery of the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa’s Wreckage
The wreck of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Tampa, which sank during the most significant American naval loss in World War I, has been found at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean over a century later. This discovery comes from a British diving team known as Gasperados, who located the historic ship more than 300 feet deep, approximately 80 miles off the coast of Newquay, Cornwall, England.
A dedicated group of volunteer divers spent three years on the search, ultimately confirming the identity of the wreck with support from the Coast Guard Historical Office, which provided essential historical records, technical details, and archival photographs of various parts of the ship.
The cutter Tampa was torpedoed by the German submarine UB-91 in the Bristol Channel on September 26, 1918, just weeks before World War I ended. It sank rapidly due to a catastrophic explosion that left no time for survivors. All 131 crew members on board perished, including 111 Coast Guard personnel, four from the U.S. Navy, and 16 Royal Navy personnel and civilians.
“Since 1790, the Coast Guard has stood guard for our nation during every armed conflict, and that legacy is evident in the bravery and sacrifice of the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa,” remarked Coast Guard Commander Adm. Kevin Landay. “The loss of the Tampa in 1918 left a lasting sorrow in our service. Finding the shipwreck connects us with their sacrifice and serves as a powerful reminder that our dedication to duty remains strong. We will always honor them and carry their spirit forward in protecting the United States.”
The crew comprised individuals from various backgrounds, united in their commitment to serve. In 1999, 81 years after the tragedy, the Tampa’s crew was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, recognizing their sacrifice.
Among those lost were 11 Black sailors, marking them as the first uniformed minority members of the Coast Guard to be killed in action and recognized with the Purple Heart.
The Coast Guard is now collaborating with historians, robotics experts, and specialized diving teams to explore and research the Tampa wreck site.
