Vamar Shipwreck Site facts for kids
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Vamar Shipwreck Site
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Gulf of Mexico, looking in the direction of the Vamar from Mexico Beach
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Mexico Beach, Florida |
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| Built | 1919 |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000243 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 10, 2006 |
The Vamar is a famous shipwreck located near Mexico Beach, Florida, in the United States. It sank on March 21, 1942. This ship rests about 3.7 miles away from the coast. The Vamar is special because it became Florida's ninth Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve in 2004. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in the U.S. on April 10, 2006. This means it's an important historical site protected for everyone to learn from and explore.
Contents
The Vamar's Journey: A Ship's Story
The Vamar had many different names throughout its history. It started its life as a warship and later became a research vessel. Here is a timeline of its interesting past:
From Warship to Research Vessel
- 1919 - 1920: The ship was built for the Royal Navy as a gunboat. It was first named HMS Kilmarnock.
- 1920 - 1923: It was known as the S.S. Kilmarnock.
- 1926: The ship was still called S.S. Kilmarnock and was registered in Canada.
- 1928: A private company bought the ship and renamed it the Chelsea.
- 1928 - 1930: Famous explorer Rear-Admiral Richard Byrd bought the ship. He used it for his journey to Antarctica. He renamed it the Eleanor Bolling to honor his mother. The crew often called it the "Evermore Rolling" because of the rough seas.
Later Life and Final Voyage
- 1930: The ship was sold to a company that hunted seals.
- 1933: The Vamar Shipping Company bought the ship. They gave it the name Vamar, which it kept until it sank.
- 1941: The Bolivar-Atlantic Navigation Company bought the Vamar. It was then registered in Panama.
- 1942: On March 21, the Vamar left Port St. Joe, Florida. It was carrying a load of lumber and heading to Cuba. However, it ran aground, flipped over, and sank in rough seas. This happened in 25 feet of water off Mexico Beach, Florida (29°54′N 85°27′W / 29.900°N 85.450°W).
The Sinking and Investigation
The ship's pilot said the Vamar was overloaded and top-heavy. People in the area wondered if the ship had been sabotaged. They thought someone might have wanted to block the channel into Port St. Joe. The Coast Guard investigated these suspicions. However, they could not find proof that the ship was sabotaged.
A Protected Historical Site
- 2004: The Vamar became Florida's ninth Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve. This means it is protected as an important underwater historical site.
- 2006: It was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This further protects the shipwreck and recognizes its historical value.
