How deep is Francis E. Powell Wreck?

Francis E. Powell Wreck ranges from 21 to 27 metres deep (69–89 feet). It is a saltwater site rated as advanced difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Francis E. Powell Wreck a shore dive or a boat dive?

Francis E. Powell Wreck is a boat dive — access is by boat rather than from shore. The entry area is recorded as exposed to surge. No facilities are recorded at the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

Can beginners dive Francis E. Powell Wreck?

Francis E. Powell Wreck is rated as advanced difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 21 to 27 metres (69–89 feet). Access is by boat. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive Francis E. Powell Wreck?

Late spring through early fall when offshore seas allow the run up the Eastern Shore. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at Francis E. Powell Wreck?

Divers at Francis E. Powell Wreck in United States commonly report sightings of Sand tiger shark, Summer flounder, Tautog, Black sea bass, and American lobster. Summer flounder, Tautog, Black sea bass, and American lobster are recorded as common sightings, while Sand tiger shark is reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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AdvancedBoat entry

Francis E. Powell Wreck

Virginia, United States

AOW suggestedDepth (~90 ft)21–27 m (69–89 ft) depthBoat entry5mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Francis E. Powell Wreck at a glance

Francis E. Powell Wreck is an 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 Sand tiger shark, Summer flounder, and Tautog. Recent reports put the water around 17°C (63°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 18:00 · sunset 17:11

Forecast for this hour · 12:00 · run 11 h ago

1.6 m (5.2 ft)waves — about a meter and a half expected (waves — about five feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 17°C · seasonal avg 19°C ( · Forecast 63°F · seasonal avg 67°F)

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

All 5 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Sun

1.6 m waves · 12 kn wind (5.2 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Mon

1.3 m waves · 8 kn wind (4.2 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Tue

1.1 m waves · 16 kn wind (3.6 ft waves · 16 kn wind)

Wed

1.1 m waves · 14 kn wind (3.5 ft waves · 14 kn wind)

Thu

0.8 m waves · 7 kn wind (2.5 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Fri

0.6 m waves · 4 kn wind (2.1 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Sat

0.9 m waves · 9 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 5:52 · Sunrise 6:19 · Sunset 17:11 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 8.8 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 00:23 GMT-5

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Francis E. Powell Wreck

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

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.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Summer flounder, Tautog, 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.

January, 37% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 7°C (44°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
February, 48% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 7°C (44°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
March, 45% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 9°C (48°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
April, 47% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (55°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
May, 67% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (63°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
June, 82% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
July, 86% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (80°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.5 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots, historically most favorable
August, 72% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
September, 59% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (74°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.1 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
October, 54% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (67°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
November, 53% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
December, 48% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 10°C (49°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots

July has typically 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

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

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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