AS2

SS America - a 723ft luxury liner - was launched in 1939. Unfortunately, her launch coincided with Hitler's invasion of Poland and she was rapidly converted into a troop carrier. Post war she resumed cruising and in the seventies (renamed SS Australis)shipped passengers from Europe to Australia and New Zealand. After years of failed comebacks as a cruise ship in the Med, she was under tow from Greece to the far east when her towing lines snapped in a force 12 storm off the west coast of Fuerteventura. The stern section sank in 1996, two years after running aground on this sand bar.

P.S. In november 2005 (photo taken in July 2005), the tail end of tropical storm Delta swept through the islands wreaking havoc. SS American star wasn't spared, the port side has collapsed and she is now listing ominously.