Mary Celstia

One of Bermuda’s most historic shipwrecks is the Mary Celestia – a side paddle-wheel steamer chartered by the Confederacy during America’s Civil War. She was utilised as a blockade runner, smuggling much-needed guns, ammunition, supplies and food to the troops in the South. The sleek, 225-foot ship sank in 1864, after hitting a reef close to the south shore of Bermuda. The wreck lies in 55 feet of water, with one of her paddlewheel frames standing upright like a miniature ferris wheel. The other paddlewheel lies flat on the sand, along with other interesting artefacts such as the boilers, anchor and part of the bow.