The Pollockshields - Bermuda Scuba - Shipwreck Diving
The Pollockshields was built in Hamburg in 1890. She was a steamer, originally named Herodot, 323 feet long, 40 feet across the beam, displaced 2,744 tons, and carried a crew of 37. At the outbreak of the First World War, she became a German supply ship and was on the way from New York to the Azores when she was overtaken and captured by the British warship Argonaut. The British government renamed her and set her to work.
On September 7th, 1915, she was off Elbow Beach in heavy fog with a cargo of munitions. She struck the reef there within sight of the beach. The ship’s captain, Earnest Boothe, was lost while the crew were taking to the boats, swept overboard in heavy seas. The rest of the crew made it safely ashore.
The wreck of Pollockshields was quite an event for the guests at the Elbow Beach Hotel, then the South Shore Hotel. They all turned out to watch the drama.
The wreck lies scattered in shallow water just off Elbow Beach and can easily be reached by swimmers and snorkelers. Great care should be exercised, however, as the surge of the breakers and the undertow can be dangerous, especially on windy days. The site is a good one for divers. There’s lots to see and explore, including the gigantic ship's propeller, live shells and other ammunition.
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