SS President Coolidge in Luganville, Vanuatu

The SS President Coolidge, a World War II wreck, lies 250 meters off the southern coast of Espiritu Santo at a convenient depth for recreational diving. The wreck is large and almost completely intact, making it one of the best wreck dives in the world. The SS President Coolidge was originally a cruise liner converted into a troop carrier during the war. In October 1942, the ship carried troops to Espiritu Santo's bomber base to support Allied Forces in Guadalcanal. However, the ship struck a mine while approaching the island, as the locations of the mines were not shared with the captain. The captain steered the ship to shore to save as many people as possible, resulting in a shallow wreck. Only two people died in the sinking of the President Coolidge: a fireman in the engine room and Captain Elwood Joseph Euart, who helped others escape before sinking with the ship. Captain Euart's remains were recovered in 2015, more than 70 years after the sinking. The wreck still contains tanks, rifles, and other equipment, making it an interesting site for multiple dives for advanced divers. The SS President Coolidge's well-preserved state and accessible location make it a unique and fascinating dive site.