Dive into BVI's History

No images? View the online version.   Shipwrecks have fascinated the adventurous from time immemorial. Their stories have the power to turn any young child into a high seas adventurer. Maybe that’s why we as divers have an almost dogmatic attraction to submerging ourselves upon wrecks and exploring every nook and cranny. The Caribbean is home to many of the most legendary names in shipwreck history including the RMS Rhone. Her ill-fated journey begins in June 1863 when the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company commissioned the Rhone and her sister ship RMS Douro for a Southampton to Rio de Janeiro service route. Both ships would suffer similar fates on opposite sides of the Atlantic. October 29, 2017 marks the 150th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Rhone. The Rhone has served as a popular dive site and national park in the British Virgin Islands since 1980. The 1977 movie “The Deep” even featured her in many scenes. She has been well preserved over the years and divers are able to glimpse her ill-fated past still in great detail. A set of spanner wrenches, brass portholes including the “lucky porthole”, and even a silver teaspoon somehow lodged in the wreck can all be seen by the curious diver. Her immaculate bronze propeller is still visible and one can even find the ships vacuum cleaner. The site is best for divers but many snorkelers make the trip to see this historic site from the surface as the visibility can be excellent. The story of the RMS Rhone and her ultimate and tragic fate are the substance of legend. There is no wonder why this amazing dive site is coveted in the log books of divers, why not log it in yours. Learn More! nop1002.987654@blogger.com is receiving this message because of their customer relationship with Scuba Diving. Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy | Forward This Email Add magazine@email.scubadiving.com to your address book to ensure delivery. Copyright © Bonnier Corporation, 460 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 200, Winter Park, FL 32789 Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are those of the sponsors and are not an endorsement nor do they reflect the opinions of Bonnier Corporation or any of its publications.