Originally a pleasure excursion vessel in Canada, the Maple Leaf was purchased by the Union Army and repurposed as a transport ship for soldiers. In April 1864, during the latter part of the Civil War, the Maple Leaf struck a Confederate “torpedo” (an underwater mine) off Mandarin Point in the St. Johns River and sank.

The ship remained buried in the river’s muddy bottom until 1984, when Dr. Keith Holland and the St. Johns Archaeological Expedition, Inc. rediscovered the wreck and excavated its remarkably preserved artifacts. These personal items from Union soldiers provide a fascinating time capsule of this pivotal era.

A companion exhibit will highlight the mystery and beauty of the underwater world through the lens of local artists.