USS Muliphen

The USS Muliphen is a 459-foot Navy attack cargo ship sunk as an artificial reef off Fort Pierce, about 16 miles out from Port St. Lucie in St. Lucie County waters. Commissioned in October 1944, she landed troops and cargo at Iwo Jima in February 1945 and took part in the feint landings off Okinawa that April, earning two battle stars. She later served with the Atlantic Fleet, including the 1958 landings at Beirut, was decommissioned in 1970, and was sunk as a reef on 21 January 1989. She lies in about 175 to 185 feet (53 to 56 m) of water, rising as much as 100 feet off the bottom. The hull now lies in two main sections with a list to starboard. The Tug Singleton is nearby, and the wreck sits close to the Oculina Banks. Few dive reports describe the marine life on the Muliphen, so ask the crew what recent teams have seen. It is a boat dive only, far offshore. This is a deep technical wreck beyond recreational limits. It needs technical certification and a setup to match the depth.