4 Things You Should See in the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

This can be seen before even entering the museum on Hatteras Island. Dionysus was a Liberty ship from the 1940s that started as a World War II ship. The ship itself was sunk in 1978 as part of the artificial reef system off the coast of the Outer Banks. Dionysus is among other purposeful sunken Liberty ships near Oregon Inlet. While the ship itself rests below the water; its propeller welcomes you to the museum!

Pronounced Freh-nel, the Fresnel lens was a French invention that vastly changed the efficiency of lighthouses. This lens helped mariners that dared to sail the dangerous seas. The Fresnel lens is still used in few lighthouses today, including the Outer Banks’ Bodie Island Lighthouse. The Cape Hatteras Fresnel lens has a historical past filled with war, tragedies and strange disappearances. Now, safe inside the museum, ready to teach visitors a history lesson or two.

Used by the U.S. Lifesaving Service on Hatteras Island during the 1800s. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum labels this exhibit as a favorite, due to its representation of heroism. This boat would be used by courageous lifesavers, to row out in stormy weather, risking their own lives to rescue stranded passengers and crew. This lifeboat exhibit is part of the Coast Guard’s Historical Collection.

Siebe Gorman & Co. was known for creating the "closed" diving helmet and for making brass and copper helmets. Diving was once a trial-and-error process that often led to fatalities. This is just one of the many diving artifacts the museum has on display. This invention helped pave the way for diving as it is known today. Helping many underwater adventurers explore the ship graveyard off the Outer Banks.

Check out our properties close to the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum here. Make sure to stop in the museum on your next Outer Banks trip to learn a bit of history about your favorite vacation destination!

Admission to the museum is free and donations are appreciated.