British Merchant Navy ship at Sha'ab Ali
Data & Description
Rating¹:
Difficulty²:
Type of vessel:
Cargo ship
Port of registry:
Great Britain
Last cargo:
War materials
Length:
126,5 meters
Beam:
17,7 meters
Tonnage:
4898 BRT
Launched:
April 9th, 1940
Sunk:
October 6th, 1941
Reason sunk:
bombarded and sunk by two German HE-111 bombers
Position:
Sha'ab Ali
Minimum depth:
16 meters
Maximum depth:
33 meters
Current:
none to very strong
Weather:
Book recommendations:
SS Thistlegorm: WW2's Greatest Shipwrecka
Thistlegorm - New Art to Media Underwater Waterproof 3D Dive Site Mapa
Thistlegorm Bow - New Art to Media Underwater Waterproof 3D Dive Site Mapa
Thistlegorm Stern - New Art to Media Underwater Waterproof 3D Dive Site Mapa
Egypt Red Sea Coast (Berlitz Pocket Guides)a
Description dive spot:
The superstructure of the Thistlegorm were fortified by concrete slabs to protect the ship from attacking airplanes. The stern was equipped with an anti-aircraft gun and a machine gun, both originating from World War I. The cargo, which was loaded on board in Glasgow, was meant for the British troops in Egypt. Next to small armored personnel carriers there were trucks and motorcycles including hundrets of spare tires, trailers with generators, airplane engines and wings as spare parts for the Air Force, fuel and water cans and rubber boots. Also the cargo of the Thistlegorm contained carbines, caissons, mines, rifle grenades, detonators and the ship ammunition. On the upper deck two Stanier 8 F steam trains including coal and water wagons were loaded. Midships the British Universal Carrier MK II armored personnel carriers were stowed.
Not before the 1950s the wreck of the Thistlegorm was accidently discovered by Cousteau. Then the wreck remained untouched for 35 years. 1991 the wreck was discovered by a group of divers during a planned search operation. Since then the wreck suffered from souvenir hunters and ruthless divers, but it is still known as the most beautiful and interesting Red Sea wreck.
With only one dive the Thistlegorm cannot be completly discovered. Several dives should be planned at this dive site. Usually the dive begins at the bow. From the two bow cabins there you get to the cargo hold number 1. Left and right of it the two scrunched wagons are located. In the hold there are trucks, motorcycles, tires and rubber boots. The area of destructions begins after cargo hold number 2, the former bridge and the superstructure. Two two bombs hit around cargo hold number 3. You can find caissons, detonators and crushed vehicles. Both steam trains and the three amored personnel carriers were thrown away by the explosion and now are located near the wreck on the sandy bottom. The stern of the Thistlegorm lies in a sloping position of about 50 degrees. Next to the huge propeller you got the anti-aircraft gun and the machine gun here. Artillery shells are widespreaded around the stern area.
Contributed by:
Martin Sebald, Alexander Schönleber
Last content update:
2007/02/20
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¹ Dive site rating: The rating is a five star rating ("poor" to "outstanding") and based on the dive site itself and on the comparison of all dive sites in the area. It also reflects the personal opinion and preference of the contributor.
² Dive site difficulty: The difficulty rating is a five star rating ("beginner" to "technical diver") and based on the personal opinion of the contributor and maybe also on the experience the contributor had when diving this site. We take absolutly no responsibility for diving accidents or anything else. Please always be a safe diver and dive your level of experience and please also be aware of local laws and regulations there might be.
a Amazon affiliate link: If you order we get a very little commision. Important: The price on Amazon does not change for you! It is just a bonus which we receive for the recommendation.