SS Antilla

SS Antilla was a Hamburg America Line cargo ship that was launched in 1939. She was one of the largest ships to be scuttled during World War II. Today, the wreck of the SS Antilla is a popular scuba diving site in the Caribbean.

History

The SS Antilla was built by Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau AG in Germany. She was launched on 21 March 1939 and was intended to serve the Hamburg America Line's route to the Caribbean. However, the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 changed her fate.

When the war broke out, the SS Antilla was in the port of Aruba. The Dutch government in Aruba ordered all German ships in their ports to leave within 24 hours. The SS Antilla, however, remained in the port, and on 10 May 1940, the day that Germany invaded the Netherlands, the Dutch authorities in Aruba seized the ship.

The crew of the SS Antilla attempted to scuttle the ship to prevent her from falling into enemy hands. They opened the sea cocks and set the ship on fire. The fire heated the hull, causing the seawater that was flooding into the ship to turn into steam. The steam caused a series of explosions that ripped the ship apart.

Wreck

The wreck of the SS Antilla lies in shallow water off the coast of Aruba. It is one of the largest shipwrecks in the Caribbean and is a popular site for scuba diving. The ship is largely intact, and divers can explore the cargo holds, engine room, and crew quarters.

The wreck is home to a variety of marine life, including coral, sponges, and tropical fish. It is also a popular site for underwater photography.

See also

• List of shipwrecks in the Caribbean
• Scuba diving in Aruba