HERMES
By Capt. Dan Berg
Photos: Topside Hermes sinking by Alan Marquardt. Underwater Hermes
by Mike Burke
 This 165 foot long, 254 ton freighter was built in Pennsylvania in
1943. Originally a U.S. Navy buoy tender, she broke down while
transporting a cargo of second hand gifts to poor families in the
Cape Verde Islands. She was later abandoned in Bermuda because she
had become too costly to repair. The government originally tried to
sell the vessel to an American, but after he inspected the rusting
ship, he promptly asked for the return of his $10,000 deposit. After
some time, the government donated the rusting vessel to the Bermuda
Divers Association (BDA). After being stripped and cleaned at
Dockyard, she was scuttled on May 15, 1984, as a dive site one mile
off shore by the Bermuda Divers Association (BDA). The Hermes has
become one of the most popular wreck dives on the south side of the
island. Unlike many wrecks lost to Bermuda's treacherous barrier
reefs that are scattered across the sea bed, the Hermes is
the classic story book shipwreck. She remains intact, upright and
magnificently photogenic. She sits in 75 to 80 feet of water, and
divers can explore her pilot house, galley, engine room and cargo
hold. All of her hatches were removed prior to the ship's sinking to
ensure safe wreck penetration.
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
Now also Available as
an instant download printable PDF eBook
 BERMUDA SHIPWRECKS ebook
A Vacationing Divers Guide to Bermudas Shipwrecks
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only $9.95
4.5 MB instant download, printable PDF file
by Dan and Denise Berg, 6x9, 73 page
downloadable ebook.
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.
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