Near the Turks and Caicos Islands, you can see a local landmark. This rusty ship, named La Famille Express, was previously known as Fort Shevchenko and has a rich history.
The Ship Fort Shevchenko
The vessel was built in 1952 for the Soviet Navy as a cargo ship and remained part of the military fleet until 1999. It was given the name Fort Shevchenko, named after a city in Kazakhstan. It is possible that the Fort Shevchenko served in the Caspian Sea, which explains its name.
After being decommissioned, it was sold to a commercial organization, and under the new name La Famille Express, the ship began transporting equipment for oil rigs under the Panamanian flag in the Caribbean Sea. By that time, the ship’s condition had severely deteriorated.
The Ship La Famille Express
In 2004, during Hurricane Frances, the Fort Shevchenko / La Famille Express was torn from its anchor near the port of Providenciales. After drifting for 12 nautical miles (about 22 kilometers), La Famille Express ran aground. Not far from the ship’s final resting place, you can still see its detached anchor.
No rescue efforts were made, and the ship was simply abandoned. Valuable equipment was either removed or looted, and the vessel eventually became a tourist attraction, drawing not only sightseers but also divers.