TAUNTON

Photo Alan Marquardt holds bell Teddy Tucker recovered from the Taunton wreck. Photo by Dan Berg.

The Norwegian cargo steamer, Taunton, built in 1902 by Burmeister & Wain, Copenhagen,  was owned by A.F. Kaceness & Company. She was 228.5 feet in length, had a 32.6 foot beam and displaced 1,329 gross tons. She was powered by a triple expansion engine.

On November 24, 1920, the Taunton was wrecked on Bermuda's northern reefs. At the time, she was enroute from Norfolk, Virginia, to St. George, with a cargo of coal. She was under the command of Captain Olsen and sailing through a misty fog when she hit the reef.

Today, the Taunton rests in 20 feet of water on the northeast reef. Her wreckage is broken up and scattered, but her engine and boilers still stand upright. An interesting side story to this wreck is that Teddy Tucker found and recovered the ship's bell. The bell was later used as a prop in the movie, "The Deep" The Taunton's bell can now be seen in the Gibbs Hill lighthouse museum.
 

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.