SS Winfield Scott, Paddle steamer archaeological site in Ventura County, United States.

The SS Winfield Scott is a 19th-century paddle steamer that now rests about 25 to 30 feet deep off Middle Anacapa Island. Remaining sections of the original vessel structure allow divers to see how these ships were built and used to carry passengers across the ocean.

The vessel was built during the California Gold Rush and carried passengers between San Francisco and Panama. It sank in dense fog off the coast in 1853, becoming one of the major maritime disasters of that period.

The ship was named for General Winfield Scott, and its stern carried a bust in his likeness. Its passengers to Panama were gold seekers nicknamed argonauts. The wreck lies within Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary, and California and federal law forbid divers from removing any part of it.

The wreck lies under 25–30 feet (7.6–9.1 m) of water off Middle Anacapa Island, within Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. California and federal law prohibit divers from removing any part of the wreckage. Reaching the site takes a boat crossing to the island; the crossing is exposed to open-channel conditions, so check sea state before setting out.

The stern carried a bust of General Winfield Scott, after whom the ship was named; it was launched on 27 October 1850 from Westervelt and MacKay's New York yard. The hull combined white oak, live oak, locust, red cedar and Georgia yellow pine with double iron bracing.