DARLINGTON
By Capt. Dan Berg

Photo: Darlington's propeller photo by Mike DeCamp.

The steel hulled English steamer, Darlington, was built in 1881 by Swan & Hunter, Newcastle, for W. Milburn &Company, London. She was 285.5 feet in length, had a 36 foot beam, displaced1,990 gross tons and was powered by 250 h.p. compound inverted engines.

On February 22, 1886, the Darlington was wrecked on Western Reef, while on a voyage from New Orleans to Bremen, Germany, carrying a cargo of 5,152 bales of cotton and 15,000 bushels of grain. According to the New York Times," Captain Richard Ward of the Darlington made some error in calculating her position, and she struck on the reefs early in the morning".

Captain Ward was later found negligent by the Marine Board of Inquiry for failure to post a lookout while approaching the unfamiliar waters of Bermuda.

The Darlington's crew of 23 and five officers were transported back to New York aboard the steamship Orinoco.

Today, the wreck lies off the west end in shallow water about 15 to 30 feet. She remains fairly intact but has collapsed onto herself and lies on her port side. Her rudder Quadrant still breaks the surface in heavy weather, and her boilers, winches and propeller shaft are easily recognizable. Within swimming distance of the Darlington are the buried remains of an unidentified Spanish Galleon.

 

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.