Cristóbal Colón

History

Launched in 1923 for the Spanish Line, the Cristóbal Colón was a modern three-deck liner of nearly 500 ft that mainly ran between Spain, New York and Central America. In October 1936, three months into the Spanish Civil War, she was sailing without passengers from Cardiff to Veracruz, reportedly to collect arms. On 25 October, making about 15 knots, her officers mistook an offshore radio mast for Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, which was out of action for repairs, and she ran hard onto the northern reef east of North Rock. No one was killed; her crew of about 160 were landed and later repatriated.

Efforts to pull her off failed. Her furnishings, paintings and fittings were salvaged and auctioned, and local boats stripped her by night, so pieces of the ship still decorate Bermudian homes. In 1937 the Norwegian steamer Iristo was wrecked nearby after mistaking the stranded liner for a ship under way. By 1939 the Colón had broken in two, and during the Second World War the hulk was used as a bombing target. She remains the largest known shipwreck in Bermuda's waters.

Diving the wreck today

The wreckage is scattered over about 100,000 sq ft on both sides of the reef, in roughly 15 to 60 ft, so two dives are needed to see it properly. Highlights include the boilers, steam turbines, propeller shafts, winches, part of the bow, a bathtub in the sand near the stern and unusual rectangular portholes. Large groupers, barracuda, parrotfish and sometimes turtles are seen among good hard and soft coral. Suitable for beginners and experienced divers; best in spring and autumn. Old shells from wartime target practice may still be present - do not touch.