Researchers Capture First Images of Ituna Shipwreck
The 1920 luxury steam yacht was discovered by underwater vehicles within the Greater Farallones sanctuary.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Environmental
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Researchers have captured the first underwater images of the Ituna, a luxury steam yacht that sank off the coast of San Francisco in 1920. The discovery provides a rare look at the vessel, now resting within the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
Why it matters
Mapping the remains of the Ituna is part of a broader effort to preserve the nearly 400 shipwrecks scattered across our coastal seafloor. These surveys ensure that the maritime history buried beneath the waves is documented for future generations.
The study is mapping 1 shipwreck out of an estimated 400 resting on the seafloor of the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. In 1920, the ship's cargo was valued at $30,000, while the vessel itself was 34 years old at the time it sank.
The players
Maritime Heritage Program
This agency is currently conducting a two-year study to document and map historic shipwrecks within regional marine sanctuaries.
The details
Using a remotely operated vehicle and an autonomous underwater vehicle, the team captured high-definition video and sonar data of the site. The ship, which sank in just 10 minutes after seas flooded its hold, has since been colonized by giant green and white plumose anemones. This work is part of a two-year study by the Maritime Heritage Program that will continue through 2028.
Timeline
1886: The Ituna is built as a luxury steam yacht in Scotland.
1918: The vessel introduces otter trawl fishing to the coast.
13 March 1920: The ship sinks 34 years after its construction.
2026-2028: The Maritime Heritage Program conducts a two-year wreck documentation study.
Across the Bay
This project follows the mandate of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to protect and interpret the submerged cultural resources within our protected waters. It expands on past efforts to catalogue the hundreds of historical wrecks that remain largely hidden from public view.
While the shipwreck remains on the ocean floor, researchers expect the two-year study to produce ongoing public reports on the region's maritime history. You can look for updates on the wreck through 2028 as the team continues to map sites across the sanctuary.
The takeaway
The discovery of the Ituna reminds us that the seafloor off our coast holds a massive, hidden history of transit and industry. Keep an eye on reports from the Maritime Heritage Program to see which of the hundreds of other local wrecks will be documented next.
Further reading
Learn more about local preservation efforts in the Environmental section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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