SS Benwood in approximately to of water between Dixie Shoals (to the north) and French Reef (to the south) off of Key Largo, Florida. On April 10, 1942, the crew of the salvage tug "Willet" examined the wreck and determined that the keel of the "Benwood" was broken, and she was a total loss. However, her superstructure and cargo of phosphate rock appear to have been salvaged. Her stern section, once considered a hazard to navigation, seems to have been mostly obliterated by explosions of an unknown type. This salvaging on the ship over the years prompted John Pennekamp Coral Reef State
SS Benwood the collision, Captain Skjelbred made last-minute efforts to avoid the "Robert C. Tuttle" by ordering the engine full astern (fastest reverse). Moments later,the bow of the "Benwood" punched into the "Robert C. Tuttle" just aft of the port side bow, above the waterline. This caused the bow of the "Benwood" to collapse upon itself. The Benwood began taking on water at a brisk rate. Captain Skjelbred turned hard for shore, attempting to save the ship by grounding, but some time between 1:10 and 2:00 a.m. was forced to abandon ship. The "Benwood" came to rest stern-to on a sandy slope