COORDINATES: 27047.7, 42059.4

The Atwater was a 253' long collier that was attacked by the U-552 off the Eastern Shore of Virginia, 2 April 1942. The U-boat pummeled the unarmed ship while men attempted to abandon ship; many were killed by the ensuing gunfire. The Atwater eventually sunk in 70' of water, coming to rest on her port side. In the past 56 years, the wreck has deteriorated greatly, though still contiguous. As the ship was a collier, artifacts are not abundant on this wreck. For best success, a diver should concentrate on the bow to try and salvage something from the forecastle, or look around the remains of the stern superstructure amongst the various hull plates and debris.