About Revisions The Wreck of The Pollockshields Bermuda Max Depth: 36-40ft/11-12m Average Viz: 91-100ft/28-30m Entry Type: Boat Bottom Composition: Sand Aquatic Life: Plenty To See 1/05/2009 11:07 PM

32.16’.324N 64.46’.263W
1915 - English Steamer
Built in 1890 in Hamburg, Germany and originally called Herodot, The Pollockshields was a 323 foot cargo steamer. With the approach of the first World War, near the end of 1904, she was refitted into a German naval supply ship for operation in the North Atlantic. Ten years later and known at that time as The Graecia, she was caught in New York Harbour at the beginning of World War I. She tried to escape at night, but was captured by H.M.S. Argonaut. After the capture, the British Government named her The Pollockshields and and used as a munitions carrier.

Traveling from Cardiff, Wales for an undisclosed port of rendezvous, the steamer ran into a "white squall" on September 2nd 1915. Five days later the ship struck the near shore reef off Elbow Beach directly in front of the Elbow Beach Hotel. There was a massive rescue effort, all the crew, except her Captain were rescued. The Ship lay broke in half over the boiling reef line until 1960, she stuck out of the water and people would often swim out to her. However, after somebody was attacked by a shark, it was decided to blow the ship up. Now her scattered remains are in two sections on either side of the breaking reef line. Among her collection of flattened deck and hull plates strewn across the bottom, in depths between 15 and 30 feet, are two substantial boilers and an enormous spare propeller, as well as her immense triple expansion engine and masses of live munitions.

After a hurricane passed by the island in 1995, diving was banned on the wreck for a year (due to exposed munitions). That ban has subsequently been lifted and diving may now continue.
The Pollockshields is one of the wreck sites featured in the
Bermuda Shipwreck Certificate Program
Depth varies from 15 feet and shallower inside the reef line to just over 40 feet outside the breakers. The visibility can be anywhere from 30 feet in swell to 200 feet in the winter. Although no longer intact, there are many features to this wreck which makes it a great dive. There are two huge boilers, which are so large that divers can swim through them. There is also a massive spare propeller strapped to the deck. A long propeller shaft, which leads (not surprisingly!!!), to the propeller and rudder section.

There are literally hundreds of artillery shells laying on the sea floor, boxes of cordite and projectiles embedded in the reef. These munitions are extremely unstable and should be treated with extreme care.

The ultimate way to visit this wreck is via a DPV underwater scooter dive directly from the beach at Elbow Beach. You can also take one of Blue Water Divers exclusive escorted Snorkel Kayak Adventures or for the adventurous snorkelers, try the DPV snorkel tour. Visit the Elbow Beach Facility for full details.
REMEMBER.... THE REEF IS FRAGILE! PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH OR TREAD ON LIVING CORAL.