Duane

After being decommissioned on August 1, 1985 as the oldest active U.S. military vessel, Duane was donated to the Keys Association of Dive Operators for use as an artificial reef. On November 27, 1987, it was towed offshore of Molasses Reef and anchored. Those scuttling the cutter then opened its hatches and seacocks causing its hull to flood. The vessel settled to the seafloor on an even keel. USCGC Duane is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

History

Built in 1936 at the U.S. Naval Yard in Philadelphia, Duane was one of seven 327-foot long Treasury Class cutters and named for William J. Duane, Secretary of the Treasury under Andrew Jackson. Before World War II, the cutter had various life-saving assignments before being sent to the Atlantic in 1941, to serve with the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Duane's service included an impressive wartime and peacetime record.

On April 17, 1943, Duane and its sister ship, the Spencer, sank the German U-boat U-77. During its career, Duane participated in four rescues at sea, picking up a total of 346 survivors. In 1980, Duane escorted vessels carrying thousands of Cuban refugees crossing from that island to the United States. Duane's last assignments included search and rescue work and drug enforcement. Here in the Florida Keys, visitors can experience three of the seven ships. Duane and Bibb serve as underwater museums and artificial reefs at rest off Molasses Reef, while the Ingham is a museum ship moored in Key West harbor as a National Historic Landmark.

Archaeology

When the water is clear, the outline of Duane's intact hull can be seen from the water's surface. The mast and crow's nest, protruding high above the hull, are only 60 feet deep. At 70 feet, just forward of amidships, is the navigating bridge. The superstructure deck is at 90 feet and the main deck lies at l00 feet. The nearly intact warship, completely with the original rudders, propellers, railings, ladders, and ports makes an impressive display.

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