The RMS Rhone, once a majestic Royal Mail Ship (RMS), now lies in an eerie slumber beneath the turquoise waters of the British Virgin Islands. Launched in 1865, this marvel of engineering boasted a sleek design and impressive speed, making it the pride of the Royal Mail Packet Company’s fleet.
A Fatal Encounter
Tragedy struck the RMS Rhone in October 1867, just two years into its service. Captain Wooley, misjudging the weather, steered the ship into a powerful hurricane – a Category 5 monster lurking beyond the typical hurricane season. With passengers from another doomed vessel, the Conway, already aboard, the Rhone became a lifeboat facing an unforeseen storm.
A Captain’s Miscalculation and a Ship’s Demise
Initially, Captain Wooley anchored the ship and kept the engines running, a maneuver intended to counter the storm’s force. However, as the sky cleared unexpectedly, he realized the Rhone was trapped in the hurricane’s calm eye. Panic erupted among the estimated 300-500 passengers and crew. In a fateful attempt to prevent injuries, Captain Wooley ordered them secured to their bunks.
A Storm of Chaos and a Final Resting Place
When the anchor cable snapped, Captain Wooley tried navigating towards open waters. Chaos unfolded as a massive wave swept him overboard. The Rhone, tossed between Dead Chest Cay and Salt Island, was at the mercy of the raging sea. A fatal blow came when the ship struck the treacherous Black Rock outcroppings near Salt Island.
A Violent End and an Unexpected Legacy
The impact breached the hull, sending seawater cascading into the red-hot boiler room. The resulting explosion tore the ship apart. The stern, where most passengers remained strapped to their bunks, sank rapidly. Only four, who managed to climb the exposed masts, survived. The bow section drifted away before sinking at a sharp angle.
From Grandeur to Graveyard: A Popular Dive Site
Out of the disaster, only 23 souls, including just one passenger, survived. Today, the RMS Rhone rests in two parts: the stern at 30 feet and the bow at 80 feet. In a twist of fate, the area became the Caribbean’s first Marine National Park in 1967. The wreck, a haunting testament to the storm’s fury, has become a world-famous scuba diving destination.
Beyond the Depths: Tales of the Haunted Wreck
The RMS Rhone’s story doesn’t end with its demise. Over the years, divers have reported strange occurrences within the wreck. Some claim to have felt unseen hands tugging at their shoulders, while others describe unsettling groans and screams emanating from the hull. These eerie tales have captured the imagination of paranormal investigators, featured on shows like National Geographic Channel’s “Is it Real?”
The RMS Rhone, a testament to human ambition and the power of nature, serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between progress and peril. Its legacy lives on, both as a popular dive site and a source of captivating mystery.
