WYCHWOOD
By Capt. Dan Berg

Photo: Wychwood steamer. Courtesy Mike Davis collection.

The English steamer Wychwood was built in 1950 by S.P. Austin & Son, Ltd., Sunderland, England, for Wm. France Fenwick &Company., Ltd., London. She was 302.5 feet in length, had a 45 foot beam and displaced 2,506 gross tons.

At 8:35 PM on August 11, 1955, while enroute from Walton, Nova Scotia, to Port of Spain, Trinidad, with a cargo of barytes, the Wychwood ran aground in 18 feet of water ten miles from Gibbs Hill Light. According to Lloyds Weekly Casualty Reports, the Wychwood was finally pulled off and re-floated by the United States Navy tug, Papago, and the Coast Guard cutter, Rockaway, on August 12th. At that time, she was leaking badly, but her pumps were handling the flooding without too much trouble. They started to tow her stern first because her rudder had been damaged towards St. Georges. On August 13th, the Wychwood was anchored at Five Fathom's Hole and abandoned due to the heavy weather from the approaching hurricane, Diane. The crew was transferred to the cutter, Rockaway. On August 14th, 11:50 AM, it was reported that the Wychwood sank in 50 to 60 feet of water after her pumps could no longer keep up with the influx of rushing sea water. Only the tips of her masts remained above the water.

The Marine Court of Inquiry concluded that the stranding was primarily caused by the negligence of her master.

The Wychwood was later blown up because she was a hazard to navigation, and she now lies scattered across the ocean floor.

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.