The USS Massachusetts rests silently beneath 26 feet of water in the Gulf of Mexico south of Pensacola- but unlike many shipwrecks she was put there on purpose.

At one time Massachusetts was a marvel of modern engineering. First launched in 1893, and over a football field in length, she was one of the original heavily armored steel vessels in the US Navy. Following her service in the Spanish American war, she paraded around the world as part of the great white fleet celebrating the American victory. She then was used for gunnery exercises and as a training vessel.

Deemed obsolete after WWI, Massachusetts was stripped down and scuttled a mile and a half from the Pensacola Pass.

The state of Florida and citizens of Pensacola saved the ship from the scrap yard in the 195o’s. With her massive hull and gun turrets still intact, today she is part of Florida’s underwater archaeological preserve for divers to explore and fishermen to enjoy.

Written, narrated, and produced by the University of West Florida, the Florida Public Archaeology Network and WUWF Public Media.