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| History | |
|---|---|
.svg) Venezuela | |
| Name |
|
| Builder | Hamburg,Germany |
| Launched | 1952 |
| Identification | IMO number: 5428829 |
| Fate |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 496 GRT |
| Length | 194 ft (59.13 m) |
| Beam | 30.6 ft (9.33 m) |
Mercedes I was amerchant ship built in 1952 inHamburg,Germany. She was 194 feet (59 m) long and measured 496Gross register tons. She was originally namedJacob Rusch, later being renamedRosita Maria,Rita Voge, and finallyMercedes I in 1976.
She was caught in a storm while at anchor offPalm Beach,Florida on 23 November 1984, and was driven ashore where she crashed into the seawall front of the home of Palm Beach socialite,Mollie Wilmot, who served the 12Venezuelan sailors caviar, finger sandwiches and freshly brewed coffee in her gazebo, offered martinis to journalists and photographers, and granted the stranded Venezuelans access to her swimming pool. The incident received national and international coverage.[1][2]
After being abandoned by her owners, she was salvaged by the Donjon Marine Company, who sold her for $29,000 to theBroward County Environmental Quality Control Board. They scuttled her on 30 March 1985 with 350 pounds ofTNT off the coast ofFt. Lauderdale, in order to create anartificial reef used as arecreational dive site. She currently rests upright in 97 feet (30 m).[3]
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1984 | |
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| Shipwrecks |
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| Other incidents |
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Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1985 | |
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| Shipwrecks |
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| Other incidents |
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26°09′21″N80°04′56″W / 26.1559°N 80.0823°W /26.1559; -80.0823
