SS President Coolidge

The SS President Coolidge was an American luxury liner converted into a troopship during the Second World War. On 26 October 1942, while approaching the Allied base at Espiritu Santo, it struck two American defensive mines and was deliberately grounded to permit an evacuation. Almost everyone aboard reached shore before the ship rolled onto its port side and sank. Today, the wreck stretches for just over 200 meters, from its shallower bow to a stern descending to approximately 70 meters. Divers can explore cargo holds, decks, artillery, vehicles, military equipment, passenger fittings, and the porcelain relief known as “The Lady.” Its exceptional size, largely intact structure, and unusual accessibility from shore allow numerous dive routes, from exterior surveys to deep, technically demanding penetrations.

Notable Detail: The wreck preserves evidence of both phases of the ship’s life, including military guns and vehicles alongside chandeliers, a mosaic fountain, passenger fittings, and a barber’s chair.