Jounal

Even if you're not a diver, the subject of sunken ships is very appealing to many people. Shipwrecks contain many facets that make them unique: the story of tragedy, which always accompanies them; the legend that grows around them, with treasures or monstrous creatures among their remains; missing ships whose whereabouts are unknown… Novels, short stories, documentaries, or films can be a way to explore this universe, but it's only when we truly enter it that we can reach these remains, and for those, the most accessible way is diving.

The first experiences on a wreck often carry a certain connotation of adventure, but with the passage of time and experience, sunken ships become a "time machine," a fantastic way to delve into a moment in history that seems frozen in the past, waiting to be visited. Some very significant elements of that history can be found relatively close to us, in the nearby Red Sea, and fortunately, under conditions that make them accessible to most recreational divers.

SS Thistlegorm – 27° 49′ 03″ N, 33° 55′ 14″ E

Without a doubt, this British ship is the most popular among all divers visiting the Red Sea. It was sunk by a German Heinkel HE 111 bomber on October 6, 1941. Since then, it has been forgotten, but on March 17, 1955, Commander Cousteau located it and explored its remains... but did not reveal its location. Years later, in 1974 and 1985, Israeli diver Shimshon Machiah located the wreck again, but once again kept its location a secret. Finally, in May 1992, Roger Winter rediscovers the Thistlegorm and makes its location public. Since then, thousands of divers have been fortunate enough to visit this interesting wreck.

Due to its characteristics, this cargo ship is very easy to explore, even almost without a flashlight. The wreck could be divided into two clearly distinct dives (although the wreck itself is suitable for dozens of dives). The first and deepest dive (-30 meters) allows us to explore the stern of the ship, which rests on its port side, revealing a powerful propeller. Two cannons stand out on deck, the most visible being the 40 mm, pointed toward the bottom, and aft of this a 15 mm anti-aircraft gun. After passing the fourth hold, we reach the impact point, a clear fracture where twisted metal piles up, a large and medium-caliber ammunition, and two MK II tankettes; at this point, moving away from the wreck, we can locate a Stanier 4F locomotive.

The second section, and undoubtedly the most interesting, consists of the two bow holds. They are open, brightly lit, and have two levels, resembling a giant shelving unit whose shelves allow us to view the entire cargo of war material. Trucks abound, of four different models (Ford WOT 2, Betford, Morris CS8, and Tilling Stevens TS 19), although the most striking features are the motorcycles piled up in their beds and in other areas of the holds. We'll find Norton, BSA, and Matchless models. It's also possible to see piles of aircraft wings and engine casings, hundreds of boots, large rolls of cable, engine spares, and boxes full of rifles. Finally, a tour of the deck will allow us to see the tanker and freight cars. And if we still have some energy and breath left, a quick visit to the second locomotive, resting on the sandy bottom off the starboard side.

Rosalie Moller – 27° 39′ 03″ N, 33° 46′ 17″ E

British freighter sunk on October 8, 1941, by German aircraft. Its 108 m length rests – perfectly stable – on a sandy bottom at a depth of 50 m. It's a large wreck, with five holds, but hardly any cargo. If you're experienced, it's worth spending a few minutes exploring the engine room, which is in perfect condition, although what's truly striking about this ship is the large amount of life concentrated there. These wrecks guarantee a series of deep but very interesting dives.

Kingston – 27° 46′ 42″ N, 33° 52′ 36″ E

Sunk in January 1881, after colliding at full speed against the reefs of Shag Rock. The front half, which was practically out of the water, has collapsed, but the rear half seems to be holding up well over the years. We can see its large propeller, the rudder (with the tiller in place), and explore the structure of the hold, reaching the boilers. An easy wreck, shallow and full of corals and tropical fish.

Chisoula K – 27° 34′ 53″ N, 33° 55′ 55″ E

It sank in September 1981 after colliding with the Abu Nuhas reef. It rests on its keel, except for the stern (turned 45° to starboard). Aside from its impressive propeller and cargo of Italian tiles, the wreck offers excellent opportunities to explore its interior. The engine room is in very good condition, and its two levels are packed with interesting items. Above the engine room, on the port side, we find the workshop, with all the necessary utensils. Of course, it's worth taking a close look at the entire exterior of the ship, literally covered in beautiful hard coral.

Carnatic -27° 34′ 53″ N, 33° 55′ 32″ E

One of the first "victims" of Abu Nuhas. This two-masted steam motor-sailer sank in September 1869, killing 31 of the 210 people on board, along with a legendary cargo of 40.000 pounds in gold coins. Today, only part of the Carnatic's hull remains, which has generated a network of beams and ribs teeming with hundreds of alcyonarians, making it the most colorful wreck in the entire Red Sea. At the bottom of its holds, it is still possible to see some bottles, along with thousands of glassfish.

Ghiannis D – 27° 34′ 42″ N, 33° 55′ 24″ E

A 2.900-ton, 100-meter-long, Japanese-built cargo ship, sunk in April 1983. The wreckage is divided into three sections, with the central area being the most collapsed and of least interest; the bow is on its side and fairly intact; the stern is the area that usually draws attention, with the entire superstructure standing (tilted 45°) to port, and with an interesting interior tour, including the engine room and dining room, with incredible backlighting. Outside, apart from the masts and cranes, special attention is paid to the family of dolphins that often prowl the area. 

Yolanda – 27° 43′ 51″ N, 34° 15′ 51″ E

This wreck is located in one of the best diving spots in the Red Sea: Ras Mohamed. The wreck is actually deep (145-160 meters), with only the remains of its cargo visible. The most visible are the bathtubs and toilets, piled up in two different but nearby areas. The Yolanda was built in Spain, in the Gijón shipyards, and in April 1980, it ran aground on these reefs, where it held for four days before sinking. In 4, a large part of the wreck became unbalanced and plummeted into the void.

El Mina – 27° 13′ 55″ N, 33° 51′ 34″ E

This wreck, also known as the Miniya, is located in the Minkar Channel, next to the port of Hurghada. This T-430 minesweeper (of Soviet origin), belonging to the Egyptian Navy, was attacked and sunk by two Israeli Phantom aircraft on February 6, 1970, as part of the hostilities that followed the Six-Day War (1969) and ultimately led to the Yom Kippur War (1973). It is an easy dive, with a maximum depth of 30 meters. The ship allows for interesting interior and exterior exploration, where the twin machine guns and cannon remains are particularly noteworthy.

Salem Express – 26° 39′ 01″ N, 34° 03′ 48″ E

One of the most striking shipwrecks in the Red Sea. This 115-meter-long passenger ferry, loaded with pilgrims from Mecca, struck the Hyndman Reef (Safaga) on December 15, 1991, partially opening its bow hatch and sinking in a matter of minutes. It is estimated that more than 1.400 people died; more than 850 bodies were recovered, and the rest remain inside.

The exterior tour is easy, as it lies on its starboard side, on a 30-meter bed, allowing for a complete itinerary between 12 and 18 meters deep. If you reach the deepest depths, you can locate the lifeboats, suitcases, and various personal belongings; it's also easy to visit the bridge and the dining room, but venturing too far into the long, narrow corridors is not recommended, nor is the long hold, where you can find an excavator (at the end of the hold, at the bow end) and thousands of personal belongings, suitcases, and packages of passenger cargo.

Numidia – 26° 19′ 00″ N, 34° 50′ 00″ E

An original English steam freighter that sank after colliding with the northern reef of Big Brother Island in July 1901, three months and a few days after its launch. The wreck is almost vertical, literally leaning against the wall, at a depth of between 10 and 80 meters. The entire forward third is actually gone, but what remains is very intact and full of coral. Inside, a visit to the engine room is highly recommended, as it offers a multi-level tour.

Aida II – 26° 19′ 00″ N, 34° 50′ 00″ E

Another of the wrecks located at the northern tip of Big Brother Island. On September 15, 1957, the ship struck the reef while approaching the island's pier, where it was scheduled to unload supplies, water, and Coast Guard personnel. Today, its rear half remains in perfect condition, between 28 and 60 meters deep, with a very steep list, and its ironwork has been colonized by corals and thousands of fish. The remains of the front end and the engine block are just a few meters below the surface, literally swallowed by hard coral, but the rest of the wreck offers plenty of opportunities for exploration.

It's clear that the central and northern Red Sea, especially since the mid-19th century with the opening of the Suez Canal, has been a key route for international shipping. The large number of ships that navigate these waters means—for simple statistical reasons—that the number of shipwrecks is equally significant; to these figures must be added others from military operations. The result is that divers can count on a truly diverse catalog of shipwrecks, guaranteeing exciting diving experiences.