About Revisions The Rita Zorvetta ( War Gascon ) Bermuda Max Depth: 61-70ft/19-21m Average Viz: 41-50ft/12-15m Entry Type: Boat Bottom Composition: Sand Aquatic Life: Plenty To See 5/16/2013 7:02 AM Greg 1/05/2009 10:58 PM

1924 - Italian Cargo Steamer
Built in 1919 by A Stephen & Sons Ltd. of Glasgow and originally named War Gascon, The Rita Zorvetta, was 399 feet in length had a 52.4 foot beam and displaced 5,107 tons. Her original specification was to be a tanker, but later it was decided to convert her to a dry cargo vessel and sold to an Italian shipping company who renamed her "Rita Zorvetta or Zorvetto.

On February 13th 1924 heading towards Baltimore, Maryland, USA. from The Black Sea via Gibraltar, with a cargo of Manganese Ore and during heavy weather, The Captain, was trying to follow the Pilot Vessel into St. George Harbour. He miss read the Pilot vessel’s lights and ended up on the wrong side of the channel, eventually running aground off St. David’s Head. No lives were lost and all the cargo was salvaged.

Today she lies in 20 to 70 feet of water outside the breakers close to the wreck of the Pelinaion just off St David’s Head. This is a massive wreck just short of 400 feet long. The wreckage begins at about 20 feet and continues down the reef structure to almost 70 feet. The stern section is still relatively well intact. You can swim through the shaft housings and view the huge boilers and condensers. The propeller is still visible, wedged into the reef.

Due to the depth of this dive and the many tunnels that result in "dead ends", a guided tour of this site is always highly recommended. The wreck lies on the seaward side of the reef, where there is little if any anchorage, so most vessels anchor on the inside of the reef. It is important to find the sand channel that leads through the reef, to the wreck and avoid an exhausting and potentially dangerous swim across the reef. REMEMBER.... THE REEF IS FRAGILE! PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH OR TREAD ON LIVING CORAL.