MV Bianca C
Passenger Liner · Italy · Lost 1961 · The Lesser Antilles
A luxury Italian cruise liner that burned and sank off Grenada in 1961, becoming the Caribbean's largest wreck dive.
Become Captain of RecordSee Shipwreck on Map
The Vessel and Her Loss
Built during the Second World War in France and repeatedly renamed and refitted, Bianca C ended her career as a Costa Line cruise ship serving the Caribbean. A boiler explosion set her afire in St George's harbour in October 1961. Nearly all aboard were rescued by Grenadians in small boats. An attempted tow to save the ship failed and she sank off Point Salines.
Vessel
- 1944
- Chantiers et Ateliers de Provence
- La Ciotat, France
- Steel
- 600 ft
- 75 ft
- 18427
- Steam turbine, twin screw
- Costa Line
Loss
- October 24, 1961
- Fire
- Off Point Salines, Grenada
- Caribbean Sea
- St George's, Grenada → Southampton, England
- Not established
- 700
- 3
- Francesco Griccio
The Wreck Today
- 160 ft
- Largely intact, resting on its side
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 12.00° N 61.78° W
- Approximate position
- Point Salines, Grenada
Approximate position about 1.25 miles off Point Salines as reported in historical accounts.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (82/100)
Grenada National Museum / Grenada History
Sinking narrative and casualty account.
Construction history and wreck description.
