HUNTERS GALLEY
By Capt. Dan Berg
The American sailing sloop, Hunters Galley, was wrecked off
the island of Bermuda during a gale on January 11, 1752. At the
time, she was on a voyage from St. Eustatius to South Carolina under
the command of Captain Clement Conyers with a general cargo.
The Hunters Galley did not founder as a result of just one
storm. In fact, the ill fated ship suffered through three. During
their journey, the vessel's rigging and sails had been severely
damaged by a violent storm which also washed one crew man overboard.
Captain Conyers decided to head to Bermuda for repairs. On January
9th, another hard gale hit, this time splitting her sails and
rendering them almost useless. On the 10th, the crew spotted
Bermuda. Captain Conyers anchored his vessel in Hogfish cut because
the damaged ship could not be navigated into the harbor. On January
11, 1752, the vessel was washed onto the rocks by yet another of a
series of gales.
Today, all that remains of this wreck, which lies 200yards offshore
of Pompano Beach in 12 feet of water, is some ballast and timbers on
a sand bottom. Teddy Tucker, who originally located this wreck, told
us that descendants of Captain Conyers still live in Bermuda.
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.
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