Underwater cultural heritage encompasses all traces of human existence that lie, or were lying, underwater and have a cultural or historical character. This includes shipwrecks and their associated artifacts as well as underwater structures, wharves and slipways, anchorages and mooring locations, dumping grounds, and fish ponds.
Bermuda waters are littered with hundreds of shipwrecks, spanning five centuries, including French, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, English, Danish, Italian and American vessels. They met their fate on Bermuda’s reefs, beaches and harbours due to inaccurate charts, raging storms, and human error.
Once investigated and critically analysed, shipwrecks and associated artifacts not only help to shed light on the past, but also become attractions for locals and overseas visitors—whether seen underwater or in a museum.
For over 35 years, the Museum has cared for, researched, documented, conserved, displayed and published on its collection of locally recovered shipwreck artifacts. The Museum has also carried out numerous archaeological excavations and surveys in partnerships with overseas universities to help further our understanding of our past.
If you are lucky enough to dive into or snorkel in Bermuda’s waters, take only pictures and leave only bubbles! Do your part and spread this message to help protect our underwater cultural heritage.
Why are shipwrecks important?
Shipwrecks are a non-renewable cultural resource that attracts archaeologists and historians, and local and overseas recreational divers interested in history, photography and marine life. Bermuda shipwrecks help entice visitors who contribute significantly to our economy.
Bermuda shipwrecks are a tangible archive of Atlantic history and the interaction of African, American and European cultures. They represent an unparalleled source of information and artifacts concerning every aspect of the evolution of Atlantic exploration, colonisation, maritime commerce and warfare. Shipwrecks can offer insight into life on board ship and the technology, activities, craftsmanship and cultures of the past. They symbolise human ambition and the motivation to explore, colonise and trade. As the written record does not always survive or exist, the study of the ship itself and associated artifacts can provide the only surviving clues for learning about the past. Prior to airplanes, ships provided Bermuda’s only link to the outside world— the island’s only source for goods and news and only means of arrival or departure. Bermuda’s underwater cultural heritage is inextricably linked to Bermudian activities, both local and overseas, including trade, privateering, piloting, shipbuilding, smuggling, salvage, ship repair and provisioning, and tourism.
Shipwrecks as time capsules
Shipwrecks are material records that represent a precise moment in time, compared to land sites, which can be occupied for centuries, everything onboard the ship dates to the moment of the shipwreck or earlier. The sites are, in effect, time capsules, reflecting distinct periods, cultures and activities.
For archaeologists, submerged timbers, hull and frame provide a dateable window into past ship design, technology and construction techniques; and the sunken objects and cargo provide clues about trade relationships, commerce, and cultural values at the time the vessel sank.
However, any research and analysis has to take into account events taking place after the wreck as well, when underwater sites may be affected by environmental and human activity. Hurricanes and winter storms can uncover, rearrange and disperse shipwreck deposits, and human factors such as treasure hunting and development can have equally disturbing effects which include the removal of artifacts.
Threats & the Law
Today, the biggest threat to Bermuda’s shipwrecks and their artifacts is illegal looting and treasure hunting. From amateur artifact collecting by sports divers, to commercial salvage, disturbance of shipwreck sites and removal of artifacts is, in effect, the theft of historic objects, knowledge and shared history that belong to everyone. Artifacts looted by divers can end up in local and overseas private collections preventing access for further study, a deeper understanding of our past and public enjoyment. In addition, the artifacts may not survive unless they are properly treated and conserved.
The Law
All wrecks and the associated submerged historic artifacts are the property of the Government of Bermuda and in turn the cultural property of the people of Bermuda. In 2001, a progressive piece of legislation that protects Bermuda’s underwater cultural heritage was passed. According to the Act, any artifact more than 50 years old and associated with a shipwreck or maritime heritage site is protected. Since the invention of SCUBA and the discovery of our historic wrecks in the 1950s, Bermuda has lost significant amounts of its underwater cultural heritage. Today shipwrecks are recognised as underwater archives and are protected. Fines of up to $25,000 or imprisonment may occur if you are caught contravening the Act.
Historic Wrecks Act 2001
By law, all work carried out on historic shipwrecks in Bermuda must be done archaeologically and under a license issued by the Government of Bermuda. License applications are submitted to and reviewed by the Department of Conservation Services. If you know of, or suspect any, illegal activity on a shipwreck or other underwater sites, contact the Government bodies enforcing the law:
Department of Conservation Services (any Technical Officer) at (441) 293-2727, Department of Environmental Protection (Fisheries Wardens) at (441) 239-2319, and Marine Police (Police officers) in Hamilton at (441) 299-4584 or St. George’s at (441) 297-1535.
Do your part and become a steward for our unique underwater cultural heritage!
What if you find something?
Storms constantly shift sand, which can expose buried artifacts and timbers. If you find something do not disturb it. Follow these steps:
1. Leave all artifacts, including ballast, insitu (in the place you found it)
2. If you have an underwater camera, take a picture of your discovery and of the area to show context
3. If you have GPS on your boat take the coordinates or take lines of sight (visual bearings) so you can pinpoint your location
4. Next, contact the Custodian of Shipwrecks at Conservation Services: Tel: 293-2727; email: prouja@gov.bm. You can also contact the Museum to assist with identification and information.
Even if you don’t think the object is part of a shipwreck, it is best to leave it alone and consult the Custodian of Historic Wrecks and the Museum. The slightest disturbance can destroy precious historic information. Even a small ceramic sherd or clay pipe can help identify the age of a wreck or site and if removed, the information is lost forever. Also, artifacts removed from a saltwater environment will immediately start to deteriorate and require professional care by a qualified conservator.
Get out and explore
The ocean is another world— it is our largest ‘museum’ of natural and cultural history. All you need is a mask and snorkel to see it for yourself! Remember to only take pictures and leave only bubbles.
All shipwrecks are protected but some due to their historic nature are closed wrecks, meaning that it is prohibited to dive on them. Before you dive make sure you are diving an open shipwreck. To find out more about open and closed wrecks download Bermuda Government’s Department of Conservation Services open wreck list.
If you can’t visit wrecks in their watery habitat the next best option is to visit the Museum’s exhibit Shipwreck Island: Sunken Clues to Bermuda’s Past. It tells the story of Bermuda’s discovery, early settlement and history from 1505 to 1684 through a collection of 16th and 17th shipwreck artifacts recovered from local waters.
