Roraima

Built in Scotland in 1883 and sailing under the Canadian flag, the Roraima had anchored off Saint-Pierre only hours before the pyroclastic cloud swept the harbour. Its cargo kept burning for days before the ship went down, and most of the people on board died. Thanks to its iron and steel construction the hull is still well preserved, with the bow at about 36 m and the stern, holds and anchors reaching down to 55 to 60 m. Divers see the bollards, the base of the funnel, the engine room, gangways and parts of the masts, all draped in sponges and fine growth; Commander Cousteau is said to have nicknamed it the wreck with angel hair. Schools of barracuda, kingfish and several species of angelfish are regular visitors.