By: Briana Darcy
I felt like I was home again when I dove the wreck of the R.M.S. Rhone.
On October 29th 1867, there was a hurricane coming into the British Virgin Islands. That was when Captain Wooley, took one of the many iron hauled ships out from Peter Island into the open water. It would later crash into the rocks near Salt Island from the big waves. The cold salt water had started to pour into the boiler room and the hot boilers had exploded due to the cold salt water. Out of approximately one hundred and fifty to three hundred people, only twenty-two crew members and one passenger had survived.
I have heard that the natives on Salt Island had gone out to sea the next day and had brought back all the dead and gave them a proper ceremony. As in return, Queen Elizabeth had given the natives free taxes for the rest of their life. The only thing the natives had to do was give the Queen a pound of salt each month.
This wreck was three hundred and ten feet long and is split into four sections. There is the bow, mid, stern, and the south section. The deepest part of the wreck is the Condenser, which is in eighty- four feet of water. The shallowest part of the wreck is the propeller on the stern, which is in thirty- four feet of water. Also on the stern, there is a porthole, the "Lucky Porthole," which people say to rub it three times for good luck. I have dove this wreck many times and every time I dive it, there is always something new to see.
Out of this horribly incident, came this beautiful world- renowned dive site that many people visit. This is my most favorite wreck and I love it. ■
But wait...Who is Briana Darcy anyway?
I currently reside in Westchester County. I am 13 years old. I am a member of The National Junior Honor Society and an Honor roll student. My favorite subject in school is Science.
My interest in diving started at the age of 4. At the age of 5, I participated in the PADI Bubble Makers Program. When I was 8, I participated in the PADI Seal Program and then advanced to the PADI Seals Master Certification. Later, I received my PADI Junior Open Water Certification in Marathon Key, Florida, and my Junior Advanced Open Water Certification. That same year, I also received my Jr. Nightdiver Certification, Jr. Digital UW Photographer, and Jr. Diver Propulsion Vehicle and I also received my Emergency First Response Certification. I became a Jr. Rescue Diver, and my biggest achievement yet, I achieved my Jr. Master Scuba Diver rating.
I am a member of Jr. Project Aware, and a member of The Divers Alert Network. I am a member of Shark Savers, Long Island Diving Association(LIDA), The Scuba Sports Club, Beneath The Sea, and a current member of REEF. I have volunteered with the Be A Diver pool since 2007 and for the past two years, I have volunteered with the Marine Careers Program at Beneath The Sea. I'm currently being sponsored by Thomas Sergent, who is the owner of Amphibious Warrior Scuba Wear clothing.
I love to teach my friends about shark conservation and about saving the sharks. Some of my photos have been featured in Northeast Dive News. My favorite sharks are the Great Hammerhead Shark and the Blue Shark.
Find out more about Brianna at www.divenewsnetwork.com
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