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Map of Francis E. Powell Wreck
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Francis E. Powell Wreck

Virginia, United States
AOW suggestedDepth (~90 ft)21–27 m depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Francis E. Powell Wreck at a glance

Francis E. Powell Wreck is a advanced boat dive site in Virginia, United States with depths of 21–27 m (69–89 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see American lobster, Summer flounder, and Black sea bass. Recent reports put the water around 23°C (73°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 3h ago
0.8 mwaves — under a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 23°C · seasonal avg 26°C

Site hazards: Depth (~90 ft) · Offshore currents · Broken, scattered wreckage with sharp steel

All 5 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sat
Sun6:00–20:00
Mon6:00–20:00
Tue6:00–20:00
Wed6:00–20:00
Thu6:00–20:00
Fri6:00–20:00
Sat6:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 4:31 · Sunrise 5:00 · Sunset 19:14

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 8.8 km from site · graded 3h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

What Divers Say

Known for: American lobster, Summer flounder, Black sea bass
Best time: Late spring through early fall when offshore seas allow the run up the Eastern Shore.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. Jan37%7°C1.0 m
  2. Feb48%7°C1.1 m
  3. Mar45%9°C1.1 m
  4. Apr47%13°C1.0 m
  5. May67%17°C0.9 m
  6. Jun82%22°C0.8 m
  7. Jul86%26°C0.8 m
  8. Aug72%25°C0.9 m
  9. Sep59%24°C1.3 m
  10. Oct54%19°C1.1 m
  11. Nov53%15°C0.9 m
  12. Dec48%10°C1.1 m

July hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

  • American lobsterCommonly seen
  • Summer flounderCommonly seen
  • Black sea bassCommonly seen
  • TautogCommonly seen
  • Sand tiger sharkOccasionally seen

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km. Know one? Add it to the map.

Site details

The Francis E. Powell was a 7,140-ton American oil tanker built 1920-1922 and operated by the Atlantic Refining Company. She was torpedoed by U-130 on January 27, 1942, caught fire, broke in two and sank off Virginia's Eastern Shore. The wreck rests in multiple sections, with the stern off Parramore Island in about 90 ft of water, where the broken hull shelters lobster, flounder and sea bass and is visited by Virginia wreck-diving charters.

boatwreck

Depth (~90 ft)

Offshore currents

Broken, scattered wreckage with sharp steel

Monofilament and fishing gear

Variable visibility

Reviews

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