08/06/2026
Throwback Thursday: The Chaparra, a Cuban steamship, was built in 1906 in Scotland. On October 27, 1918, she was carrying 2,000 tons of sugar headed to the Federal Sugar Refining Company. Ten miles off of Barnegat, NJ she struck mine laid by U-117. According to reports she sunk within five minutes of the initial explosion.
Today the Chaparra lies in 80 ft of water on a sandy bottom. Her hull lies on its port side, and is flattened out. The bow offers the most relief off the bottom. Her boilers and engine are still visible, some portions covered by large hull plates. She is generally a good lobster wreck. Artifacts can still be found, digging is usually needed.
Thank you Atlantic Divers for your submission. We regenerated the old photograph through AI to make video tour of the original photograph. Send us any throwback pictures you would like to submit or for us to regenerate for our Throwback Thursdays.
https://atlanticdivers.com/charters/chaparra
