As the custodian of Bermuda’s historic shipwrecks, Philippe Rouge has a unique and challenging role: to track, monitor, and uncover the stories behind the island’s numerous submerged relics. With an estimated 300 vessels having met their end in these crystal-clear waters, Rouge has no shortage of work.
The Enigma of Bermuda’s Shipwrecks
Bermuda’s waters are notorious for their shipwrecks. Despite the clear visibility and proximity to land, many ships have been lost under mysterious circumstances. Rouge’s mission is to delve into these mysteries and shed light on why so many vessels have come to grief in these seemingly benign seas.
Exploring the Mary Celestia
One of the wrecks Rouge is investigating is the Mary Celestia, an iron-hold steamship that played a role in the American Civil War. The Mary Celestia’s final voyage was especially perplexing. She departed from Bermuda and, despite calm seas, met her demise a mere 800 meters from the shore. This close proximity to land on a tranquil day raises intriguing questions about the circumstances of her sinking. The wreck lies just over 50 feet deep, with its distinctive paddle wheel still partially visible, hinting at the ship’s former grandeur.
The Constellation and the Montana
Moving around the coast, Rouge examines another wreck: the Constellation. Slightly further, the Montana lies submerged as well. According to Rouge’s records, these are not isolated incidents; Bermuda’s wrecks form a ring around the island. This clustering suggests that there might be an environmental or geographical factor contributing to the peril faced by these ships.
A Deadly Threat in Clear Waters
The repeated loss of vessels in Bermuda’s waters implies a hidden danger lurking beneath the surface. Rouge’s ongoing investigation aims to uncover what this threat might be and why it has caused so many ships to sink. The answers may lie in the conditions that make Bermuda’s waters deceptively treacherous despite their clear appearance.
Philippe Rouge’s work is crucial in piecing together the historical puzzle of Bermuda’s shipwrecks and ensuring that these maritime mysteries are not lost to the depths of the sea.
