

Multibeam sonar image of the ex-USS Schurz taken aboard the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster in 2016. Visibility can often be over 100 feet, and the wreck has abundant marine life. The cruiser's stern and steering quadrant are still intact. The four boilers are offset amidships and stand close to the highest relief of the site. The hull sits upright with a slight tilt to port, but with many features still evident, such as its riveted hull and engine machinery.

Wreck SiteĪt a depth of 110 feet, a majority of the Schurz wreck is contiguous and can easily be circled during a single dive. The Schurz wreck site is unique in the archaeological record, because its composite construction exemplifies the transition point between the age of sail and steam, as well as wooden and metal hull design. Schurz utilized both sail power and triple expansion steam engines for locomotion and experimented with wood and steel in its hull. Significance: The ex-USS Schurz, formerly the German cruiser SMS Geier, is the only German Imperial Navy warship captured by the U.S. Lloyd's Register Details: Composite hull, steel, wood sheathed and coppered, cruiser stern, triple expansion, three cylinder engines, two screwsįormer Names: SMS Geier (Imperial German Navy, 1894-1917)ĭata Collected on Site: Still and video photography multibeam sonar Gross Tonnage: 1,630 Cargo: N/A - warshipīuilt: 1894, Kaiserliche Werft (Imperial Shipyard), Wilhelmshaven, Germany

Navy Gunboat, formerly Bussard class unprotected German Cruiser
