Great diving and snorkeling right on our door step! Less than 70 yards from shore in 30 feet of crystal clear water lies the Wreck of the Cali, a superb shore dive and snorkel location.The Wreck of the Cali, an old freighter, 244 feet long that sunk right beside Georgetown Harbor. It is now in pieces and resting in 20-30 feet of water.
The wreck is of an old freighter, 244 feet long which sank in Georgetown Harbor on 27 th January 1948. The ship's ribs are now exposed and scattered along the ocean floor providing a home for a diversity of marine life including many species of beautiful sponges, tropical fish and a school of large Tarpon.
THE WRECK OF THE CALI - The history
1900 - Launched 9th August 1900 from a British shipyard for American owners.
1900 - 1926 Barkentine Hawaii American owners but first had to fly a Chilean flag because at the time a foreign built vessel could not fly the American flag. By 1902 she had an American flag.
1926 - 1933 Auxiliary Schooner Ethel M. Sterling
1933 - 1946 renamed Hildago now flying a Mexican flag
1946 - 1948 renamed Cali Columbian. She left Guayaquil on 9th January 1948 with a cargo of rice for Santiago Cuba. Encountered bad weather and sprung a leak. Headed for the nearest port to the Leeward which was George Town Grand Cayman. She was beached and abandoned on 27th January 1948. Most of her cargo was salvaged and a large quantity taken to Cuba. She was later set on fire and her wooden parts were burned out.
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