The Nashville was a 445 ft steam tanker that was sunk by a German U-boat (U-124). It was hauling fuel oil on March 21, 1942 when a torpodo slammed into starboard side lifting the giant ship from the water. After the 29 crewmen abandoned ship, the bow fell off and sunk to the bottom where it lies today. The midship and stern did not sink and were towed to Morehead and later to Baltimore. The Nashville was outfitted with a new bow and was back in service a year later.

Today the bow of the Nashville is around 38 miles out of Masonboro Inlet. It is in 110-115 ft of water making it an advanced wreck dive. The forward portion of hte bow is relatively intact while it starts to break up the farther you make your way back. At the end of the wreckage it is rubble and twisted deck plates. There has been a good amount of brass artifacts pulled off the wreckage making it a very popular dive. Marine life is similar to other offhsore wrekc in the area. Tropicals including hogfish, angelfish, wrasses, and damselfish are all over the wreck.

Esso Nashville

I don't have many photos of this wreck and the one's I have here do not do the site justice.

Random wreckage	Damelfish and wrasse
Ribs of the ship	Diver exploring wreckage