The RMS Rhone was a British Royal Mail Ship launched in 1865. Built in England by the shipbuilders of Millwall Iron Works, the Rhone was a state-of-the-art vessel for its time. At 310 feet long, it was designed to carry mail, cargo, and passengers across the Atlantic.

In October 1867, the Rhone was on a routine voyage in the Caribbean when it encountered a powerful hurricane. The ship was anchored off Salt Island in the British Virgin Islands, but the hurricane’s ferocity proved too much. After being dragged from its moorings, the Rhone was driven onto the rocks and split in two. The disaster resulted in the tragic loss of approximately 123 lives. Today, the wreck of the RMS Rhone lies in two main sections on the seabed, creating an underwater time capsule that has captivated divers for decades.

When the conditions are right, this is one of the best dive sites in the BVI. You can learn more at our blog on The RMS Rhone