Discovery of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tampa Wreck

A British diving team has located the remains of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Tampa, which sank after being attacked by a German submarine in 1918, taking with it 131 people.

The dive team, known as Gasperados, found the shipwreck approximately 80 miles off the coast of Newquay, in Cornwall, England, according to the coastguard. The Tampa was part of Allied operations during World War I and had been missing for over a century.

Steve Mortimer, the leader of the dive team, stated that this discovery came after three years of research and exploration. “Tampa holds significant importance for America and the families of those who perished that day. We finally know their resting place,” he shared.

Originally launched in 1912, the Coast Guard cutter Tampa had strong connections to Tampa, Florida. The ship was involved in various activities, such as patrolling events and conducting ice patrols, but came into peril when it confronted submarines in the North Atlantic during the war. It even escorted a convoy made up of 18 ships, comprising around 350 vessels.

On September 26, 1918, the Tampa was in the Bristol Channel, protecting a transport vessel headed to Wales. It may have detected the submarine before it moved ahead of a convoy, and at 8:45 p.m., a loud explosion was heard from other ships in the vicinity. The Tampa was reported missing upon its return to port, prompting a search involving a U.S. destroyer and a British patrol boat. Only some wreckage and two unidentified naval uniformed bodies were discovered.

The German submarine UB-91 launched a torpedo at the Tampa, which allegedly sank within three minutes. The attack resulted in the deaths of 111 Coast Guardsmen, four Navy servicemen, 16 Royal Navy members, and a total of 131 civilians. This incident is noted as the largest single loss of American lives in a naval battle during World War I.

U.S. Coast Guard Commander Admiral Kevin Lunday commented on the importance of the wreck’s discovery. “Since 1790, the Coast Guard has safeguarded our nation during every military conflict in history. This legacy is evident in the bravery and sacrifices made by the crew of the Tampa,” he mentioned.

Lunday reflected on the lasting sadness the loss of the Tampa brought to the service, emphasizing that the discovery reinforces their dedication to those who served. “We will always honor them and carry forward their legacy in protecting the United States,” he added.

In light of this discovery, the Coast Guard is planning an underwater expedition that will involve historians, robotic technology, and other experts to study the site further.