MV Adolphus Busch facts for kids
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The MV Adolphus Busch was a cargo ship that was later sunk on purpose off the coast of Looe Key, Florida. It became an artificial reef, which is like an underwater home for sea creatures, and a cool spot for divers to explore.
This ship was first built in Scotland by the Burntisland Shipbuilding Company. It was launched on December 20, 1950, and was originally named London. Over its lifetime, the ship had many different names. It was known as Ocean Alley when it was damaged near Port-au-Prince on September 24, 1998.
After it was damaged, the ship was bought by a person named August Adolphus Busch IV. He decided to name it after his great-grandfather, Adolphus Busch. He had the ship cleaned out and prepared so it could be safely sunk. This was done to create a new artificial reef, helping to protect and grow marine life in the ocean.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Name | Adolphus Busch |
| Operator | Dundee, Perth & London Shipping Co Ltd, Dundee |
| Builder | Burntisland Shipbuilding Company, Fife |
| Yard number | 336 |
| Launched | 20 December 1950 |
| Completed | 12 March 1951 |
| Renamed |
|
| Fate | Wrecked at Port-au-Prince on 24 September 1998; Scuttled 5 December 1998 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Cargo ship |
| Tonnage |
|
| Length |
|
| Beam | 36 ft (11 m) |
From Cargo Ship to Reef
The Adolphus Busch started its life as a cargo ship, carrying goods across the seas. It was built in Scotland and began sailing in 1951. Over the years, it changed owners and names several times.
A Ship with Many Names
The ship had a long journey and many identities before becoming an artificial reef. Here are some of the names it used:
- London (1951-1967)
- Topsail Star (1967-1988)
- Sophie Express (1988-1994)
- Princess Tarrah (1994-1995)
- Ocean Alley (1995-1998)
- Adolphus Busch I (1998, just before it was sunk)
In 1998, while named Ocean Alley, the ship was damaged. Instead of being scrapped, it was given a new purpose: to become a home for ocean creatures.
Diving into the Wreck
Today, the Adolphus Busch sits upright on the sandy bottom of the ocean. It's a popular spot for divers to visit and explore.
Exploring the Ship
The top of the wreck is about 80 feet (24.3 meters) deep, and the deepest part is around 110 feet (33.5 meters). Divers can swim inside the ship through the bridge area or the large cargo holds. The machinery in the engine room is still there, which can be a bit tricky for divers, so they need to be careful. The windows from the control room and the covers for the cargo areas were removed to make it safer for divers to enter and exit.
Marine Life at the Reef
Many boats can tie up to special buoys attached to the wreck, making it easy for divers to access the site. The Adolphus Busch is now home to lots of different sea animals. You can often see many kinds of reef fish, large jewfish (a type of grouper), and eels. Big ocean fish (fish that live in open water, not near the bottom) also visit the reef. Sometimes, sharks are seen around the wreck, but they are not usually found there.
