CARAQUET
By Capt. Dan Berg

Photos: Caraquet courtesy SSHS. Diver on the Caraquet Photo by Mike DeCamp.

The British mail steamship, Caraquet, was built for Union S.S. Company, Ltd., Southampton, as the Guelph in1894 by Harland & Wolf, Ltd., Belfast. She was later sold in 1913 to the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, London, and re-named Caraquet.

On June 25, 1923, under the command of Captain Fernandez, on a voyage from St. John to Halifax, carrying passengers and general cargo, this fine ship was wrecked on Bermuda's treacherous northern barrier reef. Captain Fernandez had trouble pinpointing his vessel's exact location due to an increasingly rough sea and a misty fog. He had calculated his position to be farther north when the Caraquet smashed violently into the reef, just west of North Rock. All passengers, crew and mail were landed safely without mishap, and her cargo was later salvaged.

The Marine Board of Inquiry investigating the incident determined that an abnormally strong current had pushed the Caraquet further than Captain Fernandez had calculated. He was exonerated of any blame.

The Caraquet is smashed up and laid out in 30 to 45 feet of water ten miles north of Hamilton. According to Teddy Tucker, her wreckage is spread over a good two acres of the ocean floor. Teddy recovered her bronze propeller among other artifacts from the site. Divers will still recognize her four enormous boilers, deck plates, capstans, winches, massive anchor, lots of lead pipe and her propellers.
 

The information listed above was taken with permission from the Book:
BERMUDA SHIPWRECKS,  ISBN # 0-9616167-4-1
A Vacationing Divers Guide to Bermudas Shipwrecks,
by Dan and Denise Berg, 6x9 softcover,73 pages.
Retail $14.95

From the first quarter of the 16th century, Bermuda became a landmark for Spanish ships sailing back to Spain from the New World. The desire to sight Bermuda to confirm their position often ended their voyage as they wrecked on Bermuda's outer reefs. To this day Bermuda's treacherous reefs have taken their toll on shipping. The reefs have claimed vessels ranging from ocean lines to small fishing boats. Bermuda Shipwrecks is the most comprehensive, accurate, illustrated collection of information, photographs, sketches and stories ever written about the legendary wrecks around Bermuda. Bermuda Shipwrecks includes over 100 illustrations comprised of 61 sensational color photos, 17 rare b&w historical images, 19 stamps, 4 sketches plus one map. Bermuda Shipwrecks contains a wealth of enlightening information that gives the readers a nostalgic glimpse into the history and present condition of over 55 of Bermuda's most popular Shipwrecks.