ELEUTHERA (Bahamas)
Eleuthera is a long, narrow island with a population of 9,000. Most
Eleuthera
diving is offered around Spanish Wells, Harbour Islands, and North
Eleuthera.
Aside from the wrecks we've listed to dive off, there are many other
interesting dive sites to visit. One of the most unique spots is
called Current
Cut. Current Cut is between Eleuthera and the smaller channel island
where
a 100 yard channel connects Eleuthera Sound with the ocean. Tide
changes
cause millions of gallons of water to pass through the channel at
speeds of
up to ten knots. Divers usually make two or three passes lasting
from ten
to 12 minutes each. This vivacious current is stronger than the
divers, and
more often than not sends them flying and tumbling. It is best to
wear a
wet suit for protection at this site to avoid cuts from coral, while
relaxing
and riding the current.
For more information about the Bahamas visit the Bahamas Board of
Tourism’s official website –
www.bahamas.com
ARIMOROA
This 260 foot Lebanese freighter is also known as the Freighter
Wreck, or
the Egg Island Wreck. While en route from South America to Europe,
this
steel hulled vessel was run purposely aground in May of 1970. It is
not
known why, but a fire started in her galley, and spread with such
speed and
fury that her captain decided to save the crew by heading at full
steam
toward the nearest visible land, Egg Island. At the time of this
unfortunate
accident, the Arimoroa was carrying a cargo of guano-based
fertilizer. All
of her crew made it to land without injury.
The fire continued smoldering for almost three months. During this
time
sea water flushed her high-phosphate cargo out through the ship's
cracked
keel. For a few years afterwards, the surrounding area became barren
as
the high phosphate levels poisoned the reef's normal variety of sea
life.
Today, the badly
burnt rusting remains of the Arimoroa sit perfectly upright
in 25 feet of water on a hard limestone bottom. From a distance the
Arimoroa looks like a ship at anchor, but on closer inspection it is
easy to
see that she will never sail again. All around the main wreckage is
a debris
field composed of steel hull plates, deck winches and various other
machinery.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this wreck is the impressive
amount
of fish that now congregate around her hull. Desi Stephens, a local
dive
operator, reports seeing schools of 50 to 100 gray angels, an amount
that
is extremely unusual for this species. Other inhabitants include
dozens of
yellow stingrays, snappers, groupers and huge parrot fish. This
drastic turn
around of aquatic life has been studied by scientists from the
University of
Miami, the Rosenstiel School and the Florida Institute of
Technology. They
have so far counted over 60 species of fish. Some specialists say
that it's
due to the organic qualities of her fertilizer cargo, but whatever
the reason,
the fish seen on this site will certainly impress even the most
seasoned
Caribbean diver.
CARNARVON
The Carnarvon was a 186 foot long, steel hulled Welsh freighter.
This
vessel ran aground off of North Eleuthera back in 1916. She sits on
a sand
bottom in shallow water of only 25 to 35 feet which makes it
possible for
long relaxing dives. Her huge anchors, propeller, boilers and
engines are
good photo opportunities.
CIENFUEGOS
The Cienfuegos was a Ward Line passenger liner. An American
steam-ship,
she was launched from the John Roach & Sons Shipyard in Chester,
Pennsylvania in 1883. She was 292 feet in length, 39 feet 8 inches
in
breadth, had a draught of 22 feet, and weighed 2,332 tons. Her iron
hull
was divided into six watertight compartments.
Diver explores wreckage of the Cienfuegos. Photo by Jeffrey
Parrish.
On February 5, 1895, while under the command of Captain B.F. Hoyt
Jr.,
the Cienfuegos ran aground on a shallow coral reef. According to the
original New York Times article, "the vessel struck a reef while the
seas
were calm." Days later, one of the members of the Cienfuegos crew
gave
a slightly different account; "On the morning of Feb. 4 about 4:30
o'clock,
during a strong. northwest gale, while enormous seas were running
and
weather was hazy, the steamer ran on a reef or small coral islet,
about five
miles north of Harbor Island and forty-five miles from Nassau."
Fortunately,
all passengers and crew survived, all very thankful for the skill of
the native
seamen who were ferrying all to shore. One life boat with women and
children
aboard capsized, but two natives instantly plunged into the water
and recovered
all passengers before anyone drowned.
The Cienfuegos wreck now lies off the north tip of North Eleuthera
and is scattered in ten to 35 feet of water. Most of her remains lie
very flat
which makes this wreck a testament to the merciless strength and
power
of the sea. Divers will find her bow sitting against a reef, her
steam powered
engine and boilers still recognizable.
A short distance away from the Cienfuegos lies the Train Wreck.
MAN OF WAR
The Man Of War wreck is the remains of two unknown vessels. The
first
is said by many researchers to be one of Columbus's ships. She sits
on top
of a coral reef only 200 yards east of the Cienfuegos wreck. The
only thing
still visible at this site is a big pile of ballast stones.
Depth at the site ranges from five to 30 feet, and visibility is
usually
excellent.
The second wreck is a steel vessel, approximately 120 feet long. Her
propeller, engine, and some small pieces of brass are scattered
outside the
reef.
TRAIN WRECK
Wheel
trucks from the Train Wreck suck in 1865. Photo by Jeffrey Parrish.
Although this
is not a shipwreck in the true sense of the word, this is the
remains of a barge that was carrying a steam locomotive. In 1865,
the
barge was caught in a violent storm and smashed onto an area
referred to
as Devil's Backbone located off of North Eleuthera. The wreck which
rests in 15 to 25 feet of water is very interesting because almost
all traces of the barge have been either buried or eaten by Teredos
(wood eating worms). All that remains to be seen are wheels, wheel
trucks,
a boiler plate assembly from the Train, and many brass spikes, coal,
and
ballast stone which originated from the barge.
Visibility on an average day ranges from 40 to 80 feet, and on
occasion can
be as good as 80 to 100 feet.
Basic shipwreck
information and images for the Bahamas 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.
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