The Mary Celestia

This dive site presents a fascinating opportunity to explore the wreck of the Mary-Celestia, a Confederate blockade runner that sank in 1864 off Bermuda’s southern reef. During the Civil War, this side-paddlewheel steamer transported goods and supplies between Confederate ports and Wilmington, South Carolina, often evading Union naval patrols. The ship was known for its speed – reaching up to 17 knots – and was piloted by John Bristow Virgin, an expert Bermudian Pilot. The wreck lies at a considerable depth, approximately 30 meters (98 feet), and offers the chance to examine the remains of a vessel that played a role in wartime smuggling operations. Speculation persists regarding possible sabotage related to its sinking, though investigations have not definitively determined the cause. The site is characterized by relatively calm conditions when it sank, cruising at 13 knots on a flat calm day. Recent discoveries in 2013 have renewed interest in uncovering the story of this historic vessel.