SS Monte Carlo
 SS Monte Carlo wreck visible at low tide near Coronado Shores 30 January 2010 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name: |
|
| Launched: | 1921 |
| Fate: | Wrecked 1937 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Oil tanker |
The SS Monte Carlo was an oil tanker launched in 1921 as the SS McKittrick but later became a gambling and prostitution ship in 1936 off the coast of Coronado, California.
Grounding
Monte Carlo was anchored 3 miles (4.8 km) off Coronado Beach in San Diego where it was in international waters, outside the boundary of state and federal law. During a storm on New Year's Day in 1937 the anchor lost its hold and the ship drifted onto the beach in front of what is now the El Camino Tower of the Coronado Shores condos. No one claimed ownership because, once on shore, this gambling and prostitution ship was illegal.
The wreckage can be seen underwater at low tide, and is occasionally exposed during strong storm tides. There has been speculation that there may be $150,000 worth of silver dollar coins remaining in the wreckage, according to the late Bud Bernhard who retrieved hundreds of dollars from the shipwreck as a child. “I’m convinced there is $100,000 in gold and silver coins deep in that wreck.”, he once said.
External links
- Graham, David E. (2 January 2007). "Busting the House". Union Tribune.
- "S.S. Monte Carlo shipwreck". Wikimapia.
- "Photo of SS Monte Carlo". San Diego Historical Society. 1937.
- LaFee, Scott (31 January 2010). "Tide, storms expose gaming ship". Union Tribune.
Coordinates: 32°40′26″N 117°10′23″W / 32.674°N 117.173°W