SS American Star Ship Wreck, Fuerteventura. 2024

The SS American Star was built in the USA in 1940, as a luxury ocean liner often travelling between New York and Southampton, UK; said to be the most beautifully decorated liner from the US of it's time. However, it was commissioned by the Navy between 1941 - 1946 to transport troops serving in World War II, and unfortunately, the ship was converted for service including anti-aircraft weapons, life rafts and standee bunks could be found everywhere.
After this it was converted back to a cruise liner and continued as such for many years; however, in 1992 the ship was purchased with the intention of being a 5 star hotel ship off Phuket. Due to years of neglect the ship had to be towed from Greece to Thailand and the 100 day tow began in late 1993; however, the ship encountered a storm in the Atlantic, the tow lines broke and the ship drifted in the adverse weather and was grounded at Playa de Garcey, Fuerteventura in January 1994.
While discussions between the owners, towing firm and insurers commenced, within 48 hours of hitting the sand bar, the pounding surf broke the ship in two at which time it was declared a total loss. In the subsequent years the ship deteriorated quickly, in the early 2000's much of the hull collapsed becoming completely covered by the sea.
Today much of the wreck is buried in the sand but the outline of the ship, some features, many bulkheads and the debris field can be seen during calm seas.
In 2019 divers surveying the wreck reported that the site is teeming with marine life.

Music The music to the video has been kindly provided by Scott Buckley. Music - "Aurora" by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au