Bahama Bank
| Bahama Bank | |
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 Bahama Bank
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| Bahama Bank shown within the Isle of Man | |
| Crown dependency | Isle of Man |
The Bahama Bank is a sand bank across Ramsey Bay, about 3 miles (2.6 nmi; 4.8 km) off the east coast of the Isle of Man 4 miles (3.5 nmi; 6.4 km) northeast of Maughold Head.
The bank extends from Northwest to Southeast, is 10 miles long and 1 mile broad. In the late 1840s the Bahama Bank Lightship was stationed on its Southeast end, in 11 fathoms, its light visible at the distance of 10 miles. Following the construction of the Maughold Head Lighthouse the Bahama Bank Lightship was decommissioned in 1914 and replaced by a buoy. The Bahama Bank was formerly a popular area for fishing within region of the Isle of Man.
During the course of the day a strong current setting in from the south, probably from the Atlantic Ocean, flows across the bank into the North Channel and thence back into the Atlantic. A water sample taken on the bank by Captain Temple of the Bahama Bank Lightship in January 1870 found its specific gravity when compared to distilled water, free from air and displaying the same temperature to be:
On Tuesday 23 January 1872 the brig Scipio foundered upon the Bahama Bank whilst on passage from Whitehaven to Dublin with a cargo of coal. Having departed Whitehaven at 10:00 hrs she struck upon the bank at 18:00 hrs and drove across into deeper water. Whilst running the vessel's pumps, her Master, being unaware of the seriousness of the situation, continued towards the Point of Ayre. Upon further inspection of the hold it was found to be flooded to a depth of approximately 7 ft 6 in (2.3 m) and at the same time the Scipio's steering became un-responsive. The Master ordered the lifeboats to be lowered and the crew, having got into them, landed safely 2 miles west of the Point of Ayre.
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