Divers have backed former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith's concerns for a new cruise ship terminal at Dockyard.

Dame Jennifer has written to the Department of Tourism and Transport, urging more research and consultation due to the presence of a "historic wreck" directly underneath the planned berth for the Panamax megaships.

As reported in yesterday's The Royal Gazette, she also requested developers undertake an archaeological survey to ensure that Bermuda's maritime treasures will not be destroyed through dredging, piling work and subsequent ship movement.

Dame Jennifer, who is chairman of the Historic Wrecks Authority, said that although she did not wish to "impede" a development deemed in the 'national interest' by Government, any dredging of the seafloor could have "a serious impact on any potential artefacts or shipwrecks that may lie on, or be hidden under, the seafloor substrate".

The discovery of an iron vessel — originally thought to be an "obstruction" — underneath the proposed berth is now thought to be one of the original tug boats used to build Royal Naval Dockyard. It is 65ft long, 19ft wide and encrusted with hard corals. There are also remnants of Prison Hulks and a 200ft ship, The Woodside, in the vicinity.

In her letter, Dame Jennifer writes: "An area scheduled for dredging is in fact the site of a Historic Wreck."

The new pier is currently being reviewed by Planning officers but could ultimately require a Special Development Order. Construction involves the installation of 300 steel piles in the seabed, raising additional concerns about the impact on marine life and coral reefs.

Bermuda is famed in the global diving community as being 'the shipwreck capital of the North Atlantic' and yesterday Coral Dakin, Assistant Diving Officer of the Bermuda Sub Aqua Club, welcomed Dame Jennifer's objections.

Mrs. Dakin, a trust manager/lawyer from Warwick, said: "I was very pleased to read that Dame Jennifer had objected to plans for the new cruise ship terminal.

"The diving alongside the existing ferry terminal is fabulous and members of the club quite often use that as a night dive, obviously when the cruise ships are not there.

"There are numerous wrecks around Bermuda — we are famous for them, and Bermuda is recognising its wonderful underwater heritage, which can be evidenced by the numbers of protected sites. These are visited by local divers and visitors alike, and must be preserved.

"The construction needed for this terminal may result in the destruction of significant portions of the reef.

"Once destroyed, that's it - gone forever. These reefs protect Bermuda from the storms so it's in the country's best interests to protect them, not destroy them."