Pelinaion

Built in 1907, this 385ft Greek tramp steamer was on her way from West Africa to Baltimore, Maryland. She was carrying a cargo of iron ore when she struck a reef just off St. David's head, on December 22nd 1939. Her captain was apparently unaware that St. David's lighthouse was out due to the war. The Pelinaion now sits in 65ft (20m) of water broken up in and around the reef she struck. Her engine sits within 10ft of the surface and her bow in only 20ft of water. Divers can swim under the hull, see numerous port holes, the ships propeller and anchor as well as the pristine reef surrounding the wreck.

For a great video of the Pelinaion and some Lionfish hunting please follow this link to Youtube: Blue Horizon Diving.

Rita Zovetta

The 399ft Rita Zovetta was built in 1919 originally as a tanker, then converted to carry dry cargo. During her voyage from the Black Sea to Baltimore, Maryland whilst approaching Bermuda on February 24th 1924, following a Bermudian pilot boat during bad weather she ran aground just off St. David's lighthouse. Her crew made it safely ashore, and her cargo of manganese ore was later salvaged. Today the Rita lies just outside of the breakers at 20-70ft (7-21m) close to the Pelinaion.

For some great footage of the Rita Zovetta please follow this link to Blue Horizon’s Youtube channel

Niobe Corinthian

The Niobe Corinthian was a 175-ft vessel originally built by Shell Oil to serve Gulf of Mexico oil rigs. Later sold and converted into a floating casino with a glass-covered bar, it became a well-known attraction before facing controversy in Bermuda.

In 2014, the Bermuda Government took possession of the ship and, after thorough cleaning and inspection by several agencies, decided to sink it as a dive wreck.

On April 4, 2017, around 3:30 p.m., the Niobe Corinthian was scuttled about nine miles north of St. George’s, near North Rock Beacon. It now rests upright on the seabed, 70 ft below the surface.

King George (The Dredger)

Built in 1910 by Lobnitz & Co. in Glasgow, The King George was one of three dredgers commissioned by the Bermuda Government to deepen harbour channels for visiting ships. She arrived in Bermuda on June 28, 1911, and began work dredging Town Cut, St. George’s, to 30 ft. Later refitted to dredge an additional 4 ft, she continued service until replaced by The Lord Cochrane in 1930 as larger vessels demanded deeper access.

Today, the 171-ft dredger rests upright and intact in 60 ft of water. Her ladders, catwalks, engines, and holds remain accessible to divers, and the wreck teems with coral, reef fish, lobsters, octopus, and even the occasional seahorse—making it one of Bermuda’s most captivating dive sites.

Cristobal Colon

The largest ship to ever wreck in Bermuda. This 499ft Spanish luxury liner, built in 1923, ran aground east of North Rock in 1936 while en route from Cardiff, Whales to Vera Cruz, Mexico. She had no passengers on board with her crew of 160 all rescued and taken to shore. The Cristobal Colon sat, stranded on the reef, for many years until in the early 1940's she was used for target practice by the American Army Air Force. She now lays on the bottom, split in half, either side of the reef between 15-60ft (4-18m). Despite now being broken up the Cristobal is still an impressive sight to explore. Divers can still see an unexploded bomb as well as her 8 massive boilers, two spare propellers and deck winches.

The Taunton

Another one of our favorite wreck sites. The Taunton was a 228ft Danish cargo steamer built in 1902, that wrecked on Bermuda's northeastern reef in November 1920. She was sailing from Norfolk, Virginia to St. George's carrying a cargo of coal destined for the island. She now sits in 20ft (6m) broken up over the reef, however her engine and boilers still stand upright, reaching for the surface. The Taunton is very photogenic and makes a great site for both divers and snorkelers.