Norwegian freighter near Giens
Data & Description
Rating¹:
Difficulty²:
Former names:
Prosper Schiaffino
Type of vessel:
Freighter
Port of registry:
Norway
Length:
78 Meter
Beam:
12 Meter
Tonnage:
1698 tons
Launched:
1931
Construction site:
Bergen
Sunk:
November 10th 1945
Reason sunk:
Sea mine from World War II
Position:
at Giens, about 1000 meters southeast of Île de Porquerolles
Minimum depth:
35 meters
Maximum depth:
50 meters
Current:
usually strong
Local dive center:
European Diving School
Weather:
Book recommendations:
Dive Atlas of the World: An Illustrated Reference to the Best Sitesa
Description dive spot:
The Donator was launched in 1931 in Bergen, Norway. After the ship was bought by the shipping company Schiaffino, it was renamed "Prosper Schiaffino". In World War II, this shipping company lost 19 out of 20 ships, after the war only the Donator was left. The Donator dodged the coast because of the Mistral on November 10, 1945, and hit a sea mine. Not all mines had been discovered and evacuated by that time. The ship transported wine from Morocco to France and Spain and grain back to Morocco. The accident was filmed by an aircraft that also alerted the auxiliary staff. 27 of 29 people could be saved, other sources speak of 5 dead.
The demolished bow lies at 48 meters in the sand bottom, the propeller is located at about 50 meters. In the area of the bow you can see inside the ship. Here you can often see moray eels, groupers and conger eels. It is best to start the dive at the bow or stern on the side of the fuselage protected from the current. The torso of the donator is overgrown with gorgonians. The deck is located at 40 meters depth, you can dive well here and check the superstructures and the steering wheel. Unfortunately, the mast, the old symbol of the wreck, has been overturned in the meantime.
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.
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