BARBADOS Southern
Caribbean
Although comparatively small, this island is one of the most
populated and
developed in the Caribbean.
Barbados diving is known for its wreck sites and reef formations.
However,
due to the enormous amount of fishing done off the island, large
fish are
seldom seen by divers.
BERWYN
This 60 foot French tug boat sank in 1919 off the south coast of
Barbados.
Today, she sits upright and intact n 20 to 25 feet of water, only
100 yards
from shore. This site is often used as a training dive for scuba or
resort
courses. The intact iron structure is heavily encrusted with coral,
allows for
easy penetration, and portrays a classic shipwreck background for
wide
angle photography. A local dive operator has set up a fish feeding
station
on the site, so be sure to bring some food for the local
inhabitants.
FRAR'S CRAIG
This vessel, according to Willie Hassell, owner of Willie's
Watersports, is
a 160 foot long steamer that was scuttled intentionally in 1985 to
form a
fish haven. She sits in 50 feet of water and has already attracted a
nice
assortment of fish.
PAMIR
The Pamir wreck is a 155 foot freighter that was also intentionally
scuttled
in 1985 to attract fish. She lies completely intact in 50 feet of
water about
100 yards offshore. Located on the northwest side of the island,
this wreck
can be visited by
boat, or divers can reach her by swimming from the
beach.
Straronikita
Shipwreck
Stavronikita after the fire. Note the SOS painted on her hull in an
attempt to summon help to the stranded
crew. Photo courtesy W.M. Schell, negative by Charles F. Schell.
The Stavronikita is probably the most popular wreck on Barbados. She
was
a 365 foot Greek freighter built in Denmark in 1956 and originally
christened
the Ohio. On August 26, 1976, while en route from Ireland to the
Caribbean
and carrying a cargo of 101,000 bags of cement, the vessel caught
fire, killing
six crew members and injuring three others. An explosion that
followed the
fire destroyed all of the ship's radio equipment, making it
impossible for
the stranded crew to call for help. Twenty four crewmen drifted in
the open
sea for four days before being rescued. The Stavronikits was then
towed to
Barbados.
A year went by, and the vessel was still anchored off Carlisle Bay,
Barbados.
On October 24, 1977 , she was purchased at an auction for the sum of
$30,000
by the Parks and Beach Commission. The ship was then stripped of all
the
machinery and brass that could be salvaged. She was cleaned of
pollutants,
namely the 70,000 gallons of oil being carried in her fuel tanks and
towed
to a spot just 400 yards offshore on the west coast of the island.
On November
21,1978, the U.S. Navy demolition crew set seven charges totaling
200 pounds
and blew holes in the ship's hull, causing her to sink.
Today, the huge wreck
Stavronikila rests in Exploration around and inside her pilot house,
by her bow where the vessel's name can still divers should not miss.
For
further information on Barbadian Shipwrecks and Barbados as a
vacation destination, click here
http://barbados.org/diving/divesite.htm
Basic shipwreck
information and images for the Caribbean section of this site was
taken with permission from the book Tropical Shipwrecks by Daniel
and Denise Berg.
You are invited to
submit your shipwreck related articles, images and information. As
long as the text, photographs, sketches etc are of professional
quality we will showcase them. Full credit will be provide and a
same page link to your web site can be arranged.
|
This
downloadable PDF e-book is packed with information and heavily
illustrated with over 80 sensational color photographs. Daniel
Berg, a noted wreck diver, instructor and author of ten
shipwrecks related books, describes all the basics of wreck
diving. Topics include everything from equipment
modifications, communication, and wreck penetration to
artifact preservation. Dan also tells how to navigate on a
wreck and be able to return to the anchor line after the dive.
Why some divers find more artifacts and explains how to catch
lobsters. Shipwreck Diving also covers such diverse topics as
shipwreck research, photography, spear fishing and how to use
an underwater metal detector. This exciting book tells all the
tricks of the trade that until now have only been learned
through years of experience. Shipwreck divers of all caliber
will find Shipwreck Diving informative, rewarding and
entertaining
