Bimini shipwreck boasts colorful history

A highlight for many guests at Denison’s recent Bimini Rendezvous was the snorkeling day on Saturday. Client brought their boats to SS Sapona and Honeymoon Harbour for a day of snorkeling, grilling, and playing around with Seabobs. Seeing the sharks and stingrays up close in the crystal clear blue waters was surreal. 

What many people may not realize is in addition to the colorful scenery, the SS Sapona also has a very colorful history.

The Sapona was a concrete-hull cargo ship designed by Henry Ford and commissioned by Woodrow Wilson during WWI, when steel was in short supply. It wasn’t finished until after the war and never went into service, instead being purchased by Carl Fisher, one of the developers of Miami Beach. 

In 1924, Fisher sold the Sapona to one-armed rum runner Bruce Bethel, who moved it to Bimini and used it as a floating warehouse for rum and whiskey during the Prohibition. The ship ran aground during a hurricane in 1926 and the stern broke apart from the rest of the ship.

During World War II, the U.S. Army Air Force and U.S. Navy used the wreck for target practice, contributing to its hollowed-out appearance. 

Today, the wreck lies in about 15 feet of water and is easily visible above water. Its surrounding waters are teeming with sea life, making it a prime spot for snorkeling and diving.