The history of the sunken ships of Mexico begins from the era of the Caribbean gold rush of conquistadors and pirates. From the bay in the north of the Yucatan to Banco Chinchorro, there are graveyards of Spanish galleons. Few people know that the remains of one of these galleons are even in a popular tourist destination - Akumal Bay.
Most of the wrecks (the diving term, wreck in translation from English - "wreck", "wreckage"), preserved in good condition and popular with divers, are flooded fishing schooners, industrial barges and naval ships of the US Navy. Some of these ships were bought by the Mexican Navy and sunk to create artificial reefs. Another part sank during the Second World War, as there was a US naval base on the island of Cozumel.
Matancero
The original name of the vessel is Nuestra Señora de los Milagros ("The Miraculous Virgin Mary"). The galleon was passing along the Mexican coast on February 22, 1741, when it suddenly ran into reefs and sank. The ship was about 22 m long with a keel of 18 m.
Like all Spanish galleons, the Matancero was heavily armed with 16 small cast cannons and four large swivel cannons, some of which still rest at the bottom among the coral. Several guns are installed on the shore and are aimed at Akumal Bay - in the direction where the remains of the ship lie. On board the ship were about 100 tons of iron, 50 tons of household utensils: plates, forks, knives, paper, dishes, oils, tools. In the holds, 75 chests with religious items and 21,200 bottles of brandy and wine were found.
The remains of Matancero lie at a depth of 3-7 m. Divers still find various artifacts in this place. This is a large number of necklaces with crosses of various sizes and shapes, silver frames for icons, earrings.
Ultrafreeze
The Ultrafreeze was a 110-meter barge specializing in the delivery of deep-frozen food supplies. The barge had a fire in 1979 when it was in the port of the island of Women. The fire could not be extinguished, and the barge had to be towed into the open sea, where it was flooded. Now the barge, lying at a depth of 28-35 m, is one of the largest wrecks in the region. Two large holds allow divers to move inside without getting stuck.
In addition to its impressive appearance, the barge is also interesting for its living creatures. The metal of the barge's hull attracts many small fish, which in turn attract large predators. The barge is located on the migration route of the Gulf of Mexico and Yucatan, and here you can often see dolphins, turtles, moray eels, spotted rays, ocean mantas (they are also called sea devils - these are the largest rays, whose width reaches 7 m) and even whales. From February to August, you can also see killer whales here.
The barge is suitable for intermediate divers, but keep in mind that several people have disappeared without a trace in this place.
Harlequin
This ship of the US Navy was built in 1944 in the US Portland. Served as a special purpose ship during World War II. His task was to search, detect, destroy sea mines and escort ships through minefields.
Purchased by the Mexican Navy in 1976 and until 1978 it was used as an ocean research ship under the name Oceanográfico. Flooded in 1980 to create an artificial reef. In 1993 it was renamed General Pedro María Anaya. Lies at a depth of 20-25 m.
The ship is located 2, 2 km from the coast - in an area frequently visited by manta rays, barracudas and giant sea turtles. Hurricane Wilma in 2005 broke the ship in two, and now all the internal cavities of the ship are accessible to divers. Great place for photography lovers.
Ransom
The Admiralty-class ship served as a minesweeper-finder during World War II in the US Navy. Ransom was awarded three Battle Stars for his services in the Pacific. In 1951, the ship resumed service during the Korean War. In 1962, it was sold to the Mexican Navy and renamed DM-12, and in 1994 - Teniente Juan de la Barrera.
In 2000, it was flooded to create an artificial reef near Cancun. Now Ransom lies at a depth of 18-25 m and is home to tens of thousands of sea creatures.
