About Revisions The Cristobal Colon Bermuda Max Depth: 71-80ft/22-24m Average Viz: 31-35ft/9-11m Entry Type: Boat Bottom Composition: Sand Aquatic Life: Might See Something 1/06/2009 3:22 PM

32.29’.040N - 64.32’.510W
1936 - Spanish Luxury Liner


The Cristobal Colon, is Bermuda’s largest shipwreck, measuring 499 feet in length and 3 decks high and displaced in excess of 10,000 tons. The Spanish transatlantic luxury liner was completed in 1923 and operated between New York and Central America. She was wrecked on October 25th 1936 while en route to Vera Cruz, under the command of Captain Crescencia Narvarro Delgado. She was carrying a crew of 160, but no passengers and was believed to be traveling to Mexico to collect arms for the Spanish Civil War. She crashed intro a coral reef at a speed of 15 knots. The wreck was blamed on the fact that the North Rock Beacon was under repair at the time and not lit. The ship ended up stranded high on the reef. The crew was landed safely in Bermuda and eventually repatriated to Spain, after being put to work on the roads and fortifications of Bermuda.


In 1937, the funnel and mast of The Cristobal Colon, were removed after the Captain Stephensen of The Norwegian Steamer Aristo, mistook the Cristobal Colon for a ship in the channel and subsequently followed her onto the reef. Eventually, in the early 1940’s, the Cristobal Colon, was used for bombing practice by the American Air Force and settled beneath the waves scattered over a large area on both sides of the reef.


An interesting footnote regarding salvage of the Cristobal Colon’s furniture and fittings. During the period of time that she sat on the reef, much was salvaged officially, but many items were "rescued" by the time honoured Bermudian tradition of "piracy" and rest in many private homes in Bermuda today.


The Cristobal Colon, is the largest shipwreck in Bermuda and is well worth at least two dives to see it all. She lies in two main sections split by a sturdy reef line and wreckage is scattered over a large area on both sides of the breaker. Crossing the reef line can be tricky, so the best solution is to make two separate trips or make use of your guide who will show you the safe and easy method of accessing both sections. Points of interest include propellers, boilers and deck equipment and a very long prop shaft leading to the stern of the vessel. She has become a haven for large Groupers and a variety of reef fish. The Cristobal Colon is one of the few wrecks to have rectangular portholes.

Depths range from 15 feet at the bow to about 80 feet in the sand at the stern where a bathtub can still be seen. An interesting cave can be accessed from the top of the breaker and unexploded artillery shells still remains on the wreck. So an element of caution is required!!
REMEMBER.... THE REEF IS FRAGILE! PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH OR TREAD ON LIVING CORAL.