Page 452 - The British Big Four

SOUTHWEST BREAKER Perhaps Bermuda’s most interesting reef
dive, divers descend no more than 36’ (11m) and explore in and
around a huge coral head, with caves and fissures. There are a myr-
iad reef creatures, plus the purple sea fans and corals are beautiful.
Southwest Breaker has a cavernous cut that runs through it, making
for amazing dive scenery. However, breakers boil over the reef, and in
surgy conditions this can be dangerous and difficult, so the reef has to
be dived on a day that is reasonably calm.
KING (1984) This 1941-built American Tug was also used as a salvage
boat and a dive boat before finally being sunk for a reef and dive site.
Her stern sits in sand at 65’ (20m) depth, and she lists heavily to the
starboard. Divers visit her pilot house, galley, and peek into her engine swim-throughs and gullies. An especially photogenic hole through
room. This 55’ (17m) tug makes for excellent photos.
SHELL HOLE The name of the site is the perfect description. It in-
cludes cowries, conchs, and many more, at a typical depth of 65’ (20m).
VIRGINIA MERCHANT (1661) This English Vessel was owned by the
Virginia Company and was carrying 179 passengers and crew from
Plymouth, England to Jamestown when she was torn up on the reef
just 250 meters from shore. In spite of how close to shore she was, only
10 survived. There are only a few remnants of wood, some ballast and
her anchor left. Restricted Dive Site.
HERMES (1984) This World War II U.S. Navy Buoy Tender fell into
disrepair and was abandoned in Bermuda. Unable to be sold, the gov-
ernment handed her over to the Bermuda Divers Association, who
turned her into a fine wreck dive. She sits upright at 80’ (24m), just
waiting for another set of divers to explore her.
SANDY HOLE Vertical coral reefs run along shore with this Sandy
Hole at 6’-33’ (2m-10m) depth in between. It is the solid reef that
has stopped so many ships dead in the water over the past 400 years.
However, the impenetrable reef proves to be a great second dive or
snorkel adventure.
MINNIE BRESLAUER (1873) This 300’ (91m) English Steamer was
heading from Spain to New York when she hit Bermuda’s reef and be-
gan to sink. She was under tow to St.George’s when she went down for
good onto her port side right here at 50’-65’ (15m-20m) depths. Her
bow is banged up in the reef and her stern is on sand.
HOLE IN THE WALL This shallow second dive is just 6’-40’ (2m-
12m) deep, but it has amazing pilars and domes of coral, with caves,
the reef gives it the name. Large fish including barracuda and tarpon,
plus some huge snappers add to the interest.
POLLOCKSHIELDS (1915) This German supply ship was captured
by the British in 1914, and was thus listed as a 323’ (98m) English
Steamer. She had a load of British ammo when she struck the reef in
heavy seas, having come out of a dense fog, with the appearance of
Bermuda’s reef being a big surprise. The captain was lost overboard,
but all others survived. Hotel guests witnessed the whole shipwreck-
ing. Divers and snorkelers find the scattered 20’-40’ (6m-12m)-deep
remnants fascinating, and many explore from the beach.
TARPON HOLE The reef here is full of massive overhangs, caves, and
tunnels, which host large numbers of tarpon, which feed on myriads
of silversides. The dive depth is 10’-40’ (2m-12m), but access requires
a boat.