Hogsty Reef over 30 nautical miles from land in
any direction can only be visited in perfect weather, an atoll rising up out of
the depths forming a horseshoe shaped reef. Just five nautical miles east to
west and three north to south. It has earned its reputation as a passage
stopper, there are apparently more than 200 wrecks on the reef.
Two of these wrecks bare their rusted bones
above the water line. The Liberty and The Lady Eagle lie in about 3 meters of
water. The incoming waves continue to pound and smash onto them creating
whirlpools as the water rushes in and out of the submerged hull. The bow lies
midship facing onto the reef and is full of Blue Tang and a big school of
Mutton Snappers. Lobster hide beneath scattered pieces and colorful reef fish
swim in and out. Large Nurse shark lie lazily on the bottom and huge Barracuda
lurk menacingly keeping an eye on you for a potential food source.
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| Lady Eagle |
The remoteness saved the life of a fish or two
and took fresh shot fish off the menu. Taking a chance shooting one with huge
Barracuda and Shark nearby was not worth the risk. The odd lobster was not that
lucky and we had to have lobster for dinner, breakfast and lunch.
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| The Liberty |
The once proud Lady Eagle is more intact and we
didn't dive on her.
At each end of the horseshoe is a flat sandy
spit about a meter high and 100 meters long. Littered with shells I found three
of my favorite cowrie shells. Treasure indeed.
Early the next morning we lifted anchor and
headed for Matthew Town.
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