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The Pelinaion Wreck
 Bermuda
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Max Depth: 61-70ft/19-21m
Average Viz: 61-70ft/19-21m
Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Rating: 4.40 by 5 divers
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The Pelinaion Wreck is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Bermuda. This dive site has an average rating of 4.40 out of 5 from 5 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 61-70ft/19-21m. The average visibility is 61-70ft/19-21m.
1940 - Greek Cargo Steamer
The Pelinaion was a large cargo steamer, 385 feet long with a 50 foot beam and a displacement of 4,291 tons. She was built in 1907 at Port Glasgow for Hill SS Company and named Hill Glen, but her ownership changed numerous times before she was purchased by a Greek shipping company and given her present name in 1939. The Pelinaion was heading from West Africa to Baltimore with a cargo of Iron and Manganese Ore. The Pelinaion, was not scheduled to stop in Bermuda, but due to limited fuel supplies, the Captain decide to stop and refuel. Thinking he was about 12 hours away from Bermuda and not knowing that the St. David’s Lighthouse was blacked out due to the war, The Pelanion ran aground a mile from Copper’s Island, near St. David’s.
The wreck lies in depths ranging from 20 to 70 feet. She is an awesome sight because of her large size and massive parts. Most noticeable are the ship’s giant steam boilers, huge triple expansion engine standing upright and a spare propeller.
Wreck Certificate
The Pelinaion is one of the wreck sites featured in the Bermuda Shipwreck Certificate Program
Divemasters Notes
The 385 foot Pelinaion, is one of Bermuda’s biggest and most spectacular wrecks. It is split into two section. The bow lies on the reef at a depth of 30 feet and the stern is in the sand at 70 feet.
The engine and the boilers are easily found and recognised as is the spare anchor and propeller, plus winches and many, many feet of anchor chain can be found be followed leading to the tern section.
The surrounding reef is riddled with tunnels and caves. Often big schools of Grunts and Snappers are seen here, as are Barracuda and Blue Angel Fish. Swim under the mid section and view this massive ship from underneath. It’s very easy to become disorientated here due to the overall massiveness of the wreck. Her deck cranes look like they could still lift as they reef up towards the surface. Keen engineers will recognise most of her engine parts scatter throughout. Little if any of the mechanics where salvaged which must bring into question the vessels overall condition immediately prior to sinking especially considering she sank during the 2nd World War.
REMEMBER.... THE REEF IS FRAGILE! PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH OR TREAD ON LIVING CORAL.