After more than a century, researchers have finally located what some call the worst shipwreck in San Francisco's history about 300 feet below waters near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Sinking on Feb. 22, 1901, the SS City of Rio de Janeiro was carrying 210 people at the time, most of whom were Chinese and Japanese immigrants, Live Science reported. Of those passengers and crew members, 128 perished when the vessel hit jagged rocks near the Golden Gate Bridge.
"The overwhelming response looking at the imagery of the Rio is one of sadness," said James Delgado, director of maritime heritage for National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, as quoted by Live Science.
The steamship's sinking "was front-page news all over the world. It was a terrible tragedy," he said.
Damaged by sharp rocks near the southern end of the Golden Gate strait, the 345-foot City of Rio sank in only about 10 minutes.
The deadly shipwreck's 82 survivors included the U.S. Consul-General in Hong Kong; however, his wife and two children, who were returning with him, perished in the tragic incident.
The ship was found after the companies Hibbard Inshore and Bay Marine Services donated a research vessel and crew, which gave NOAA a day to hunt for the wreck with a 3D sonar device.
Unlike the nearby S.S. City of Chester wreck, which was rediscovered last year and found to be well preserved since its sinking in 1888, the City of Rio is being crushed under thick mud.
The discovery is part of a two-year study to document shipwrecks in the area.
"We are undertaking this exploration of the San Francisco Bay in part to learn more about its maritime heritage as well as to test recent advances in technology that will allow us to better protect and understand the rich stories found beneath the Bay's waters," Delgado said in a statement.
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