The abundance and diversity of marine life make the Adolphus Busch Sr. a popular destination for experienced divers, offering opportunities to observe both large pelagic species and smaller reef dwellers in a single dive site.

Article at a Glance

1. Wreck Overview: The Adolphus Busch Sr. is a notable shipwreck located in the Lower Keys of Florida, approximately 6 miles southwest of Big Pine Key.
2. Depth Details: The wreck lies at a depth of 110 feet, with the deck situated between 80 and 100 feet, making it suitable for advanced divers.
3. Historical Significance: Built in 1951, the ship had a varied career, including a brief appearance in the 1957 film “Fire Down Below,” before being intentionally sunk on December 5, 1998, to create an artificial reef.
4. Marine Biodiversity: The site is rich in marine life, featuring species such as goliath groupers, southern stingrays, lemon sharks, and a variety of tropical fish, contributing to a vibrant underwater ecosystem.
5. Diving Requirements: Due to the depth and conditions, the Adolphus Busch Sr. is recommended for advanced divers, ensuring a thrilling yet safe diving experience.
6. Dive Operators: Several dive shops in the Lower Keys, including Captain Hook’s Marina and Dive Center, offer trips to the wreck, providing access to this popular dive site.
7. Safety Protocols: Safety measures include guided dives, verification of diver experience, and thorough pre-dive assessments to ensure a safe exploration of the wreck.

Shipwreck Location Coordinates and Depth

Depth

The wreck lies in about 112 feet of water, with the deck and wheelhouse situated at depths between 80 and 100 feet, and the ship’s tower at 40 feet.

Location Coordinates

The Adolphus Busch Sr. shipwreck is located at the coordinates Latitude 24-31-841 N and Longitude 081-27-688 W, approximately 6 miles southwest of Pine Key or 3 miles west of Looe Key Reef.

What Do Scuba Divers Say About This Ship

1. Exciting Penetration and Marine Life:
   Divers appreciate the ease of penetrating the ship’s cargo holds and encountering large marine life. Max Ebel from Captain Hook’s dive shop mentions the thrill of encountering goliath groupers inside the wreck. The site is also frequented by Southern stingrays, lemon sharks, and large bait balls of fish, making it a vibrant marine habitat.
2. Pristine Condition and Historical Significance:
   The shipwreck is in excellent condition, largely due to its protected status within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Divers note the ship’s interesting history, including its brief movie career and its transformation into a dive site with the help of Adolphus Busch IV.
3. Advanced Diving Experience:
   The Adolphus Busch Sr. is considered an advanced dive due to its depth and sometimes challenging visibility. However, the wreck’s proximity to shore and minimal current make it a relatively accessible site for experienced divers. The ship’s upright position and intact structure offer a unique and rewarding diving experience.
4. Diverse Marine Ecosystem:
   The wreck has become a haven for various marine species, including moray eels, tropical fish, and schooling hammerheads. The presence of these species adds to the allure of the dive, providing divers with numerous opportunities for exciting underwater encounters.

What Kind of Marine Life Can Be Found on The Ship

1. Large Marine Species:
   • Goliath groupers, often found inside the wreck’s cargo holds
   • Southern stingrays, frequently seen hunting on the sandy seafloor
   • Lemon sharks, occasionally circling the wreck
   • Hammerhead sharks, sometimes spotted in the area
2. Schooling Fish:
   • Large bait balls of various fish species
   • Silversides, especially during summer months, creating shimmering clouds around the wreck
   • Barracuda, horse-eye jacks, and permits, often in large schools
3. Other Fish Species:
   • Snappers in a variety of colorful species
   • Amberjacks
   • Grunts
   • Blue runners
   • Snook (visiting from Florida Bay)
4. Eels and Octopuses:
   • Green moray eels, often seen peering out from portholes
   • Octopuses, though usually rare, have been spotted here
5. Sea Turtles:
   • Occasionally make curious passes through the wreck site
6. Coral and Reef Life:
   • The wreck’s structure is covered with coral growth, attracting various tropical fish species

Key Information

What Makes Adolphus Busch Sr. a Unique Diving Experience

1. Historical Significance: Originally built in 1951 in Scotland, the ship had a varied career, including a brief stint in the 1957 movie “Fire Down Below” before being purposefully sunk as an artificial reef in 1998.
2. Pristine Condition: The wreck is in excellent condition due to its protected status within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It sits upright on the sandy bottom, with its structure largely intact.
3. Diverse Marine Life: The wreck has become a thriving ecosystem, hosting a wide variety of marine life including:
   • Goliath groupers, often found inside the cargo holds
   • Southern stingrays hunting on the seafloor
   • Lemon sharks circling the wreck
   • Large schools of fish like barracuda, horse-eye jacks, and permits
   • Occasional sightings of hammerhead sharks and sea turtles
4. Safe Penetration: As the ship was prepared specifically for diving, it offers safe opportunities for wreck penetration. Hatches and portholes were removed, and 12 large holes were created for easy access.
5. Depth and Challenge: Resting at a depth of 110 feet, with the deck at 80-100 feet, it provides an exciting challenge for advanced divers.
6. Seasonal Phenomena: During summer, massive schools of silversides engulf the wreck, creating a mesmerizing visual effect.
7. Proximity to Other Sites: Its location near Looe Key Reef allows divers to combine wreck and reef diving in a single trip.
8. Relatively Uncrowded: Only a few dive shops visit the wreck, ensuring a more serene diving experience.

How Does The Adolphus Busch Sr. Compare to Other Shipwrecks in Florida

1. Excellent Condition: Unlike many naturally sunken ships, the Adolphus Busch Sr. was intentionally sunk as an artificial reef in 1998. It sits upright and intact on the sandy bottom, making it one of the best-preserved wrecks in the Florida Keys.
2. Diver-Friendly Preparation: The ship was specifically prepared for diving before sinking. Hatches and portholes were removed, and 12 large holes were cut to provide safe, easy access for divers.
3. Depth and Challenge: Resting at 110 feet with its deck at 80-100 feet, it offers a more challenging dive compared to shallower wrecks, appealing to advanced and technical divers.
4. Marine Life Diversity: The wreck has become a thriving ecosystem, hosting a wide variety of marine life including goliath groupers, southern stingrays, lemon sharks, and large schools of fish.
5. Historical Interest: The ship had a varied career, including a brief stint in the 1957 movie “Fire Down Below,” adding a unique historical aspect to the dive.
6. Proximity to Reef Systems: Its location near Looe Key Reef allows divers to combine wreck and reef diving in a single trip, offering a diverse diving experience.
7. Part of the Florida Keys Wreck Trek: The Adolphus Busch Sr. is one of nine wrecks along the Florida Keys Wreck Trek, making it part of a larger diving attraction in the area.

What is The Full History of This Ship

Construction and Early Years

• Built in 1951: The ship was constructed in Scotland and originally named “London” .
• Multiple Names and Flags: Over the years, it served under several different names and flags, including “Topsail Star,” “Windsor Trader,” and “Ocean Alley” .
• Short-Haul Freighter: It primarily operated as a short-haul island freighter, transporting goods between various ports.

Movie Career

• “Fire Down Below” (1957): The ship had a brief stint in Hollywood, appearing as “Ruby,” a tramp boat used for smuggling, in the adventure drama “Fire Down Below,” starring Robert Mitchum, Jack Lemmon, and Rita Hayworth .

Transformation into an Artificial Reef

• Purchase and Preparation: In 1998, the ship was purchased by the local dive community with significant financial assistance from Adolphus Busch IV, the grandson of the Anheuser-Busch brewery founder. The ship was towed from Haiti to Miami, where it was gutted and cleaned to make it safe for divers .
• Sinking: On December 5, 1998, the ship was intentionally sunk off Big Pine Key, near Looe Key Reef, to create an artificial reef. It was renamed “Adolphus Busch Sr.” in honor of the Busch family patriarch .

Current Status and Diving Experience

• Location and Condition: The wreck lies upright in 110 feet of water, with the deck and wheelhouse at depths between 80 and 100 feet. The ship’s tower reaches up to 40 feet. The pristine condition is maintained due to its location in the protected waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary .
• Marine Life: The wreck has become a vibrant marine habitat, attracting species such as goliath groupers, southern stingrays, lemon sharks, barracuda, snappers, and even the occasional hammerhead shark and sea turtle .
• Diving Conditions: It is considered an advanced dive due to its depth and sometimes challenging visibility. However, the site is relatively free of strong currents, making it suitable for experienced divers seeking light penetration opportunities .

What Historical Features Can Still Be Identified on The Adolphus Busch Sr. Wreck

1. Intact Structure: The ship is largely intact and sits upright on the sandy bottom. This includes the main deck, wheelhouse, and superstructure, which provide a clear sense of the ship’s original form and function.
2. Cargo Holds: The cargo holds are accessible and offer opportunities for light penetration dives. These areas are safe to explore due to the removal of hatches and portholes, and they often house large marine life like goliath groupers.
3. Superstructure and Deck: The top of the superstructure can be accessed at approximately 75 feet, and the deck lies at around 95 feet. These parts of the ship are well-preserved, allowing divers to navigate through the original pathways of the vessel.
4. Wheelhouse: The wheelhouse, located at about 70 feet, is another significant feature that remains intact. This area provides a glimpse into the operational heart of the ship.
5. Portholes and Hatches: Although many portholes and hatches were removed to facilitate safe diving, their original placements and the openings they left behind are still visible, giving divers an idea of the ship’s original configuration.
6. Historical Markings: The ship’s history as a short-haul island freighter and its brief movie career in the 1957 film “Fire Down Below” add to its historical allure. While specific markings from its movie days might not be evident, knowing its cinematic past enhances the diving experience.

What Safety Measures Are in Place for Divers Visiting the Adolphus Busch Sr.

1. Advanced Dive Classification: The Adolphus Busch Sr. is designated as an advanced dive site due to its depth (110 feet to the bottom) and occasional challenging conditions. This classification helps ensure only experienced divers attempt this wreck.
2. Diver Preparation: The ship was specifically prepared for diving before sinking. Hatches and portholes were removed, and 12 large holes were cut to provide safe, easy access for divers.
3. Minimum Diver Requirements: Dive operators typically require a minimum of 3 divers for this trip, ensuring a proper buddy system and group safety.
4. Experience Verification: Dive shops often check divers’ experience levels and dive logs before allowing them to participate in this advanced dive.
5. Guided Dives: Many operators offer guided dives with experienced dive masters who are familiar with the wreck and local conditions.
6. Current Assessment: Dive operators assess current conditions, which can be challenging at this site, before proceeding with the dive.
7. Proximity to Shore: The wreck’s relatively close location to shore (about 6 miles southwest of Pine Key) allows for quicker emergency response if needed.
8. Protected Waters: The wreck sits in protected Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary waters, which helps maintain its condition and stability.
9. Upright Position: The ship’s upright position on the seafloor, with its keel settled into the soft sand, provides a stable structure for divers to explore.

Dive Shops That Prove Diving Trips to This Shipwreck

1. Captain Hook’s Marina and Dive Center: Located in Big Pine Key, they specifically mention offering dive trips to the Adolphus Busch Sr. wreck.
2. Looe Key Reef Resort and Dive Center: This dive center is located near Looe Key Reef, which is close to the Adolphus Busch Sr. wreck, making it likely they offer trips to the site.
3. Dive Key West: As a prominent dive operator in Key West, they likely offer trips to this popular wreck site.
4. Florida Keys Dive Center: Another dive operator in the Lower Keys area that likely offers trips to the Adolphus Busch Sr.