CURLEW
By Capt. Dan Berg

The iron hulled three masted, English steamer, Curlew,  was Barquentine rigged and poop deck fitted. She was 182 feet in length, had a 22 foot beam and displaced 528 gross tons. She was purchased by the Cunard Steamship company on July 20, 1853, and regularly sailed the Halifax-Bermuda-St. Thomas run.

On March 14, 1856, she left Halifax under the command of Captain Hunter. According to marine historian Mike Davis, Captain Hunter was below deck sleeping on that Monday morning of the 17th, after having spent all night steering his ship through rough seas. The Captain awoke to find his ship had struck the northern reefs of Bermuda. The Curlew was soon to be doomed; her cabin quickly filled with sea water. Two of her life boats were smashed while attempting to launch them, and a third drifted away. The fourth boat was successfully launched, and it was decided that the officers would stay aboard the steamer while the others would row the lifeboat to shore and then send help. Two Navy ships quickly went to the sinking vessel's assistance. They saved not only the men, who by this time had been forced into the rigging, but also seven of the nine mail bags she had carried.

Teddy Tucker originally located and identified this scattered wreckage located one mile east of North Rock in 35 feet of water. Here covered some brass fittings and some assorted artifacts from her broken bones.
 

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.