Deep Bay - Antigua Wreck of The Andes 17:07:56N 61:53:352W

Pau Amma
Matthew Shaw
Sun 18 Mar 2012 11:40
We had a great sail from Barbuda to Deep Bay Antigua yesterday. Plenty of breeze. 2nd reef in the main is the normal out here. Even so we averaged about 7.5knots.

We arrived in time to snorkel on the wreck of the Andes. The Andes was on route from Trinidad in 1905 with a cargo of Pitch (Tar). The friction of movement in the ship at the base of one of the masts caused a smouldering fire. Because they were carrying a hazardous cargo they were told to anchor here and investigate the problem. When they opened the hatches to see what was happening, the influx of air caused an uncontrollable fire. Today, she sits bolt upright in about 10 metres of water. A great deal of the wreck has been preserved.

We saw 3 Lion Fish on the wreck. A highly poisonous fish that has started to establish itself here. Its an Indo-Pacific beast so should not be here. There is a website where we have to report sightings. Sadly they destroy a lot of the corals and biodiversity here. They look amazing though!

Lion Fish - The Andes


The anchor - clearly defined


We are moving on to Five Islands Bay later today. No rush as its no distance at all and its the weekend after-all!