Landmark
USS Wateree (1863)
Landmark
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The USS Wateree, a US Navy steamship built in 1863, ran aground during a tsunami in 1868 and was carried inland. Today, its rusting hull lies on the sand near the mouth of the San José River, visible only at low tide. Visitors can walk up to the wreck and examine the iron structure, a tangible link to maritime history and the power of natural disasters. The site offers a stark contrast between the ship's industrial remains and the surrounding coastal landscape.
Don't miss
- View the iron hull of the USS Wateree exposed at low tide.
- Read interpretive signs explaining the ship's history and the 1868 tsunami.
- Photograph the wreck against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and cliffs.
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