LOCATION
The
wreck of
Georges Valentine is situated
approximately l00 yards south of the south wall
of Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge and 100 yards
directly offshore in Stuart, Florida.
Coordinates for the wreckage closest to the
beach (including the boiler, a 57' section of
deck with 8' of broken mast, and a 12' by 12'
section of tile floor), are 27° 11.93 ' N and
80° 09.88' W. A 65' section of iron hull, 16' in
height, is approximately 80 yards due east of
the boiler section at 21° 11.93' N and 80°
09.83' W. Also in this area are two broken
sections of steel mast, one 10' in length and
the other, on the north side of the hull, 19' in
length.
Extending from
the east edge of the hull is a 100' section of
the keel and frames. Directly south of the hull
is a large debris field that extends about 80'
to the south and 60' east and west.
Approximately 130' due south of the largest hull
section are hull plates about 12' wide by 20' in
length at coordinates 27° 11.91' N and 80°
09.83' W. What appears to be a crane for loading
cargo is located approximately 40' south of the
hull plates at coordinates 27° 11.90' N and 80°
09.83' W.
Approximately
495' south of the House of Refuge is a 19'
section of a steel mast partially buried in the
sand on shore. Directly due east of this
artifact in the surf zone is a segment of iron
framework about 60' long by 24' wide, along with
another section of a broken steel mast, at
coordinates 27° 11.89' N and 80° 09.87' W.
PHYSICAL
DESCRIPTION OF THE DIVE SITE
Georges
Valentine is partially buried in the sand and is
broken into five prominent sections. Sand
migrates to and from the site depending on
seasonal weather and storms. For example, in
August 2003 the sand had migrated away,
providing a very clear view of the tile deck and
the ability to swim under sections of super
structure; by August 2004 the sand migrated
closer to the wreckage and obscured many
features including the debris field. Depth of
water around the hull in August 2003 was
approximately 32 feet; in August 2004 depth was
only 22 feet.
The wreckage lies in positions consistent with
reports written by Captain Rea in 1904. An
existing photograph (circa 1905) in the
Historical Society of Martin County archives
shows a large section of upper deck with a mast
on the rocks, and the House of Refuge in the
background. This wreckage includes the mast and
framework 495' south of the House of Refuge that
can be seen today.
BIOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF DIVE SITE
Marine
life abounds on the wreck of Georges Valentine,
including snook, sheepshead, margate, angelfish,
kingfish, shiners, shark, moray eels, stingrays,
lobster, stone crab, hermit crab, puffer,
trigger, parrotfish, wrasse, snapper, and
various species of soft corals. Because of the
shallow water and migrating sand, the sea life
changes from season to season as dramatically as
the wreck itself. If not for the unfortunate
circumstances of the wreck, there would not be a
safe haven for the variety of sea life found
there today.
VISITING
THE GEORGES VALENTINE SHIPWRECK DIVE SITE
Georges
Valentine is a pleasure to dive or snorkel
because she rests in shallow water, only 100
yards offshore. Visitors can park at the House
of Refuge and walk to the entry point, a rocky
outcropping l00 yards south of the House of
Refuge Museum south wall. From the most
pronounced portion of the outcropping, swim due
east 100 yards to the boiler section. East of
the boiler about 60 yards is a large section of
hull that stands about 12' to 16' off the bottom
and is 65’ long. Due south of the hull section
is a large debris field leading to additional
hull plates and the remains of a crane, probably
used for loading cargo.
Sea life
abounds and is dependent upon the season.
Migration of the sand is dramatic; as much as
six feet of sand can move in a single year. This
change in conditions is a common occurrence and
allows divers to enjoy a new adventure with
every visit to the shipwreck.
The shoal where Georges Valentine rests is named
after the pirate Don Pedro Gilbert who,
according to local legend, hung lanterns on the
shore in the area where the House of Refuge
stands to lure unsuspecting ships onto the
rocks. The rock shoreline is the foundation for
the Gilbert's Shoal (Bar) House of Refuge, and
is one of the reasons the building is still
standing today.
Georges Valentine Underwater Archaeological
Preserve Hutchinson Island, Stuart, Florida
pdf by the Florida
Department of State Division of Historical
Resources Bureau of Archaeological Research
