SS Thistlegorm
From Scubawiki
| SS Thistlegorm | |
|---|---|
 120mm Cannon on the Stern | |
| Location: | 4 hours from Sharm el Sheikh |
| Depth: | 22m to deck, 30m to prop |
| Entry: | Boat dive |
| Interest: | Wreck diving and penetration |
| Visibility: | ~20m |
| Notes: | AOW or better |
The SS Thistlegorm is a 126m merchant vessel sunk 6th October 1941 by German bombers from Crete. Its final resting place is Sha'ab Ali, near the Sinai Peninsula, some 4 hours by boat time from Travco, Sharm el Sheikh. It is considered one of the best wreck dives in the world.
The Thistlegorm was carrying supplies to VIIIth British army, engaged in Africa against the Africakorps of General Rommel. Much of the cargo is intact to this day. The wreck is also home to extensive marine life.
This dive site often has strong currents and is beyond entry level training. The descent is usually made down a decent line from a dive boat and diving staying close to the wreck. Dive operators typically ask for at least AOW or equivalent. Nitrox is also recommended due to the typcailly short surface interval.
Contents |
Specifications
- Type: Steamship, single screw
- Gross Tonnage: 4898 tonnes
- Length: 415 feet/126m
- Launched: 9th April 1940
- Crew: 41
- Casualties: 9
- Dive Site Max Depth: 30m
On and around the wreck can be seen:
- Anchor winches
- Lee Enfield Mk III rifles
- Mechanical spare parts
- Aircraft parts
- Rubber boots
- Morris automobiles
- BSA WDM20 motorbikes
- Anti aircraft machine gun
- 120mm canon
- Main propeller
- 2 steam locomotives
- 2 small tanks
- Ammunition, mortar shells
- Groupers, lutjan, angel fish
History
Cousteau 1955
Rediscovered 1970s
Rediscovered 1990s
Logistics
To dive the Thistlegorm from day boats it is necessary to leave Travco around 4:30 AM. It is standard practice to do 2 dives on the wreck as they are relatively deep. The dive site is usually very busy with a great deal of boat traffic. The Thistlegorm is at an ideal depth for using Nitrox (18m-30m).
Ideal diving is from a live aboard to avoid the early start and dive when the crowds are elsewhere.
