Shipwrecks and Pirate Holes

[bdahunter]

The Princess and I decided to celebrate our anniversary by renting a boston whaler and taking a spin on the ocean blue. First stop was the wreck of the HMS Vixen, scuttled in 1896 to block the backdoor channel into Bermuda (Hogfish Cut). She was the first British ironclad but the Admiralty decided to sheath her in oak just the same so she was slow as molassess in january but an unsinkable tank. Made for a lousy warship as the competition just ran away, leaving the Vixen in their wake, so they scuttled her.
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We put on our snorkelling gear and dove on her but the current was fierce so it was back on the boat and off to Ely's Harbour. [attachment 30178 P6250031_editedSmall.JPG]
Ely's Harbour was a pirate hole of ill repute in the 1600's and the 1700's as the pirates would lie in wait for the Spanish treasure ships, which had to sight Bermuda in order to get a navigational fix, then rush out in their fast Bermudian sloops and loot them. Alternatively the pirates would light fires on Wreck Hill to give the Spanish a false position so that they turned too late and wound up on the reefs. Pick off the survivors in the morning and salvage the treasure.
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Once the afternoon cruise was over, we headed home for dinner on the beach and a perfect sunset with green flash at the end.
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We had a wonderful weekend, hope you all enjoyed yours,
BDA

 

[Goldringer]

n/t

 

[ALinGA]

Great Pics! Where can I find info about metal detecting in Bermuda?
I go there once or twice a year on business and would love to metal detect there if they allow visitors to.

 

[bdahunter]

I'm not claustrophobic but zero visibility in several feet of goo, no thanks.
I really like the ring you found though, I found one just like it when I first got my Excal in April it was my first find with Excalibur.
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One of my favorite finds actually.
If you make it to Bermuda look me up.

BDA

 

[bdahunter]

Al: There are few restriction on metal detecting in Bermuda. Anything below the highwater mark is considered Queen's Bottom so public space. Getting to that space can be tricky though as you cannot trespass over private property to get to public space, access by sea only. That said there are lots of public beaches and usually you can hunt them anytime but during high season access is restricted to before 10 AM and after 7 PM, in part it depends on the parks department rangers and the lifeguards. Just be really polite and friendly and it will go a long ways towards opening doors for you.
You may be required to pay duty on your detector when you enter the country (depends) just offer a low value when they ask you what it's worth and get a ticket that will allow you to keep bringing the detector back and forth without paying duty again, otherwise you have to pay everytime you bring it into the country.
I've been told that you can relic hunt around the forts but I wouldn't as it might annoy some people.
Send me a PM if you are coming and I'll give you pointers on some of the better beaches to hunt. If my schedule allows I'll get out on a few hunts with you if you like.

BDA

 

[Gary in Daytona]

n/t

 

[Angela (Australia)]

to detect in. The only place I've detected in is in my state! There's so much of Australia to check out, let alone go to another country! Looks like you had a great time there BDA. And I like the ring!
Angela