ONE DECISION CHANGED THE ANTILLA’S DESTINY FOREVER
We’ve all heard how the Antilla sank. It’s one of Aruba’s most frequently told stories, shared with countless visitors every day.
But what was a German freighter doing off the coast of Aruba? I was surprised to discover the answer begins thousands of miles away in Galveston, Texas.
After loading a cargo of sulfur in Galveston, Texas, the SS Antilla was trying to return to Germany when World War II broke out. With warships patrolling the Atlantic, the journey home had become dangerous. Captain Ferdinand Schmidt turned toward the neutral Dutch island of Aruba, hoping to ride out the war.
The Antilla dropped anchor off Malmok, where she remained for more than eight months as the war spread across Europe.
When Dutch authorities moved to seize the German freighter, its captain made the decision to scuttle her rather than let the Antilla fall into Dutch hands. The sea valves were opened, and as water flooded the engine room, the ship slipped beneath the Caribbean Sea, where she still rests today. Captain Schmidt could never have imagined that one desperate decision would transform the SS Antilla into one of Aruba’s greatest underwater treasures and one of the Caribbean’s most popular snorkeling and diving sites.
For nearly 30 years, Jolly Pirates has watched the Antilla continue to write her story.
Today, the 400-foot Antilla shipwreck is our thriving underwater playground and one of the Caribbean’s largest shipwreck sites. Lying on her port side in the turquoise waters of Malmok Bay at depths of 15 to 60 feet, coral blankets her steel hull, while tropical fish, sea turtles and countless other marine creatures have made the Antilla their home, creating the remarkable underwater landscape we explore today.
I remember when Jolly Pirates first began bringing guests to the Antilla nearly 30 years ago. Parts of the ship still rose above the water. It wasn’t unusual to see huge pelicans and seabirds perched on the rusting steel, patiently waiting for their next meal. Known by many as Aruba’s Ghost Ship, the Antilla was once visible above the surface. Those of us who remember her above the water witnessed a very different Antilla than the one we explore today.
More than 85 years later, the Antilla has become home to countless marine creatures and remains one of Aruba’s most treasured underwater landmarks.
Carla Cavallaro
Brand Manager, Kukoo Kunuku & Jolly Pirates
Carla Cavallaro is the Brand Manager for Kukoo Kunuku and has spent more than 30 years building Jolly Pirates into one of Aruba’s most recognizable tour companies. She has called Aruba home for nearly 40 years and loves sharing the island’s culture, food, and gems with visitors. When she’s not working, Carla enjoys writing, painting, sailing, exploring Aruba’s art scene, and discovering new places around the island.