Carrie Lee

The Carrie Lee was an island freighter commissioned out of Grand Turk that carried supplies between Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. The ship was traveling between the two islands and capsized in heavy seas. The Carrie Lee had become unstable because it had a load of containers on its deck, but nothing in her holds below. This altered the stability of the ship such that it was top-heavy. In 1985, the Carrie Lee capsized while en route to Cayman Brac, about 10 miles east of Grand Cayman. Several unsuccessful attempts to tow the vessel to port were made before she finally sank in 100 feet of water of the Southern tip of the West side of Grand Cayman. As a result of strong ocean storms, the Carrie Lee has slid down a steep slope towards a ledge, dropping off to an abyss. If you look closely, a grooves are visible from where the Carrie Lee carved out a trench as she slid down towards the wall. Today, the Carrie Lee sits in approximately 165-240' of water nearly at the base of a ledge at 260. A few more strong ocean storms, and the Carrie Lee may be no longer.

Photos are from video by David Caldwell

A ladder covered in sponges - touching the wreck is discouraged as some of these sponges are very delicate. At left,

another view of the towing bit and deckhouse structure.

Another view from the starboard side (L) and at right, looking forward from the wheelhouse.

The wheelhouse (L) and at right a closer view of some of the magnificent sponges growing on the wreck!

Its time to go all too soon - Heather makes a pass around the stern once more and then begins her ascent off the wreck as we head up for the long deco.

We hope you enjoyed these photos!

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