Page 123 - The British Big Four

Great Abaco Island Dive Sites

G reen Turtle Cay – features shallow reefs as well as superb fish to northern troops, capturing the blockade runners Lizzie Davis,
life, one of the earmarks of the Abaco. There is a huge selection Fox, Edward, Roebuck and Lealtad; diplomatic missions overseas;
of sites for snorkeling and diving at Marsh Harbour. Maxi-Caves is and involvement in China’s Second Opium War, the San Jacinto met

an historically great spot for comfortable cavern dives where you’ll her doom by running aground on New Year’s Day, 1865. At the time

find friendly groupers and barracuda. Treasure Divers has a full, of her demise, she was engaged in blockade duty for the U.S. Navy.

PADI certified dive operator located at Treasure Cay Marina. Her guns and some of her provisions were recovered, but all efforts

S S San Jacinito Wreck - The wreck of the San Jacinto is a great dive to salvage the vessel were unsuccessful. This wreck sits on a slope
off Green Turtle Cay. Built in 1847 and probably run aground with a maximum depth of 40 feet. Her structure is scattered due to
the constant pounding of the sea which leaves us no clue as to the

while performing blockade duty during the Civil War, she now lies shape she once held.

scattered in 40 feet of water. Her boiler, propeller shaft and bits
of superstructure remain as refuge to clouds of blue-striped grunts
an Juan Evangelista Wreck - The Spanish Galleon San Juon Evan-
Sand friendly green morays. one of the earliest American built steam gelista was part of the Armada de Barlovento of Spain. In the

vessels. In fact, she was built as an experimental ship to test the year 1714, she was en route from Veracruz to Puerto Rico, transport-

technology of new propulsion concepts. She was laid down by the ing a military payroll of 300,000 pesos, when a violent storm forced

New York Navy Yard in August of 1847 and launched on April 16, her aground. The ship was left resting high and dry on a reef which

1850. A screw frigate, the Jacinto was 234 feet long, and had a 38 made for easy salvage operations. Her treasure and her cannons

foot beam. During her life on the sea she was plagued by unreli- were recovered.

able machinery which was always in need of repair. naval support