The Iristo- Shipwreck Diving Bermuda
: The Iristo, mentioned earlier, was a Norwegian-owned
steamer built in 1918 in Ohio. She was 251 feet long, almost
44 feet across the beam, and displaced more than 1,820
tons. Between the time of
her construction and her
passing, she changed
owners and names several
times, finally becoming theIristo and the property of
Hans F. Grann in 1936.
In March, 1937, she was en route from St. John’s in Newfoundland to Bermuda with a cargo of flour, gasoline, a fire engine and a steam roller when her captain spotted the wreck of the Cristobal Colon.
hinking the wreck was on her way through the channel into Bermuda, Captain Christian Stephenson decided to follow the Colon into port. He did, in fact, follow her onto the reef. Iristo was pulled off the reef that same afternoon by a seagoing tug out of St. George’s. The damage to her hull was extensive and she sank the next day about a mile east of North Rock and seven miles north of St. Catherine’s Point. Captain Stephenson was charged with negligence.
Iristo now lies in 50 feet of water. Her bow and stern sections are intact and, with her anchors, propeller, boilers and machinery, provides divers with a great underwater experience and photographic opportunities.
Bermuda - How to Get There:
For visitors arriving by air, Bermuda is served by most US airlines and by international airlines from Canada and Europe. Bermuda is also a major destination for the cruise ship industry.
Look for the best travel deals to Bermuda:Know Before You Go!