Explore the HMS Winchester with Capt. Lars Vihlen, March 18th, Islamorada

18 Mar 20153:30 AM

Posted in General, Diving, Florida, Florida Keys, Guy Harvey Outpost Ltd., Islamorada, Scuba Diving | Leave a comment

By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost Travel Journalist

The History of Diving Museum in Islamorada hosts Capt. Lars Vihlen as part of the Museum’s Immerse Yourself! seminar series.

In 1695 only two years after she was built, the crew of the HMS Winchester were struck by scurvy. With the death of many and her crew greatly weakend she wrecked on a reef just south of Carysfort Light. Her remains are visible in 28 feet of water inside Penekamp Park.

The Winchester, a British man-of-war, was 121-feet in length. She had a beam of 38 feet and carried 60 guns. Almost all of her 400 crew were lost, mostly to disease.

The presentation is open to the general public. Admission is free to Monroe County residents and Museum members and $10 for visitors. Pre-seminar museum tours will be conducted at 5:15pm and 6pm. Museum tours are included with admission. Members may reserve their seats in advance.

The History of Diving Museum is located at: 82990 Overseas Hwy about one mile north of the Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost.

For more information on the History of Diving Museum