Acorn

The Scottish steamship Acorn, constructed by Campbell and Co. in 1881, met its fate on February 8, 1885, when it collided with Elbow Reef off the coast of Key Largo, Florida. Despite attempts at salvage, heavy seas for ten consecutive days following the collision rendered any rescue efforts futile, ultimately resulting in the complete destruction of the steel-hulled vessel. The force of the impact caused the Acorn to pivot 180 degrees on the reef. Measuring 165 feet in length, the Acorn primarily transported general merchandise such as grain, lard, and oil. In 2017, archaeologists, in collaboration with volunteers under the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, positively identified the wreckage, shedding new light on the maritime history of the region.