Historic shipwrecks that dot Bermuda waters are one of the Island’s greatest assets, it has been claimed.

According to Custodian of Historic Wrecks Philippe Max Rouja, the wrecks and other historical connections are one of Bermuda’s unique features that play an integral part in the Island’s appeal as a tourism destination.

Dr Rouja spoke out after one Bermuda wreck was featured in a BBC television documentary that aired this week.

The Glasgow-built paddle steamer and blockade runner Nola sank in 1863 just outside Western Blue Cut, adjacent to the later wreck the Constellation.

The history of the vessel, which was also named the Montana, was highlighted in this week’s episode of ‘Clydebuilt: The Ships that Made the Commonwealth’ presented by Scottish actor and TV presenter David Hayman.

Dr Rouja, who was featured on the series, said: “These ships were built for speed with one purpose — to move goods between Bermuda and the blockaded Confederate South during the US Civil war. It was an extremely lucrative and risky business.

“While the Nola is not as famous as another Glasgow-built blocked runner, the Giraffe, it is one of the only examples that can be found today and so the BBC producers decided to come to Bermuda and film a small segment of their four-part series on Glasgow-built ships on the Nola.”

The Department of Conservation Services worked with BBC Scotland in preparing possible underwater visual storylines for the Bermuda segment of the programme and spent three days getting the scene set up and shot.

“We were very fortunate to have someone in the diving fraternity come forward and share with us a few of the things they found on the wreck over 40 years ago, which were featured in the shoot, and really managed to connect Scotland to Bermuda in a special way,” said Dr Rouja.

“The Civil War connection to the Nola and the current 150th anniversary of the Civil War was coincidental to the Scottish BBC documentary but it highlights the interest in Bermuda’s unique role in many significant historical events.

“These historical connections are one of our unique features and play an integral part in our appeal as a tourism destination. Alongside our incredibly accessible reef and ocean wilderness the wrecks are one of our greatest assets.”

The Department of Conservation Services is currently assisting SCETV (South Carolina Education Television) and Look Bermuda on a feature documentary on the infamous blockade runner the Mary Celestia which sunk south of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse in 1874 carrying a stash of hidden wine and perfume.

To view video of the Nola, visit the Department of Conservation Services website at: http://www.conservation.bm/montana/