Ajax Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Ajax Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 30.498 N,1 32.643 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.508300
  • Longitude: -1.544050
Wreck Depth 31.24 m
Water Depth 37 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name AJAX
Type steam ship
Flag NL
Length 67.4 m
Width 10.5 m
Draught 4.1
Sonar Length 75
Sonar Width 20
Shadow Height 5.5
Orientation 357
Tonnage 942
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo ballast
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Aug 8, 1940
Bottom Texture Pebbles
Scour Dimensions 090.0,080.0,002.0,271
Original Detection Year 1940
Last Detection Year 2020
Original Source Lloyd's and Marine Underwriter's reports
Last Amended Date Oct 5, 2021

Surveying Details

SUNK 10 MILES W OF ST CATHERINE'S POINT. (LLOYDS WAR LOSSES). SUNK 15 MILES W OF ST CATHERINE'S POINT. (WW2SL). 17.12.40 WRECK IN POSN 165DEGS, 8.5M, FROM NEEDLES, OR 503130N, 013200W. (C-IN-C PLYMOUTH). H0121/45 29.1.45 INCLUDES A NON SUB BY 30TH ESCORT GROUP IN 503124N, 013148W. (PLYMOUTH LIST). 7.8.53 INS AS NDWPA IN 503150N, 013200W. BR STD. H6882/55 4.1.60 LOCATED IN 503030N, 013228W USING DECCA. LEAST E/S DEPTH 16 IN GEN DEPTH 19FMS. SCOUR 20FMS. (HMS SCOTT, 15.10.55). AMEND TO WK 16FMS IN REVISED POSN. BR STD. H525 9.3.74 LOCATED IN 503028N, 013233W. SWEPT PARTIALLY CLEAR AT 30MTRS. NOT FOULED. LEAST E/S DEPTH 30.8 IN GEN DEPTH 37MTRS. SCOUR 39.5MTRS ON W.SIDE. LIES 020/200DEGS AND IS ABOUT 100MTRS LONG. STILL GIVES GOOD SONAR RESPONSE FROM NW & W, BUT MODERATE TO POOR FROM SW & NE. (SCES, H525 NO 6/73). AMENDED TO SW 30MTRS. BR STD. H1285/74/210 12.8.74 REPORTED BY R TODD, OF MV 'REGENT SWIFT', AS A LARGE TRAWLER, OR SIMILAR, LYING ON ITS PORT SIDE. ORIENTATED ROUGHLY E/W. STANDS 20FT HIGH IN 115FT. LARGE SCOUR ON NORTH SIDE. H2555/74 12.2.79 IDENTIFIED AS SMALL COASTER OR LARGE TRAWLER, LYING ON SIDE IN N/S DIRN, ACROSS THE TIDE. (J JAMES, 27.1.79). H1310/88/4 12.1.88 WK RECENTLY DIVED IN 503033N, 013236W [OGB]. SMALL STEEL VESSEL WITH WOODEN DECKING. (S SHOVLAR, 4.1.88). 26.2.97 AMENDED TO WK 30MTRS AS LAST SWEEP IN 1960 WAS ONLY PARTIALLY CLEARED. BR STD. HH100/351/13 30.1.98 HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE DUTCH STEAMER 'AJAX'. BELL HAS BEEN RECOVERED. (D C WENDES). HH090/962/01 4.12.02 EXAM'D 10.8.02 IN 5030.497N, 0132.643W [WGD] USING DGPS. SWEPT CLEAR 30.5, FOUL 31.0MTRS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 30.9 IN GEN DEPTH 35MTRS. NO SCOUR. LENGTH 70MTRS, WIDTH 10MTRS. DCS3 HT 4.5MTRS. LIES 000/180 DEGS. STRONG MAGNETIC ANOMALY. HULL APPEARS BROKEN AND PARTLY BURIED. (GARDLINE, HI 962). AMEND TO SW 30.5MTRS. BR STD. SEP 2020/000123102 5.10.21 EXAM�D 29.9.20 IN 5030.498N, 0132.643W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 31.24MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 37MTRS. LENGTH 75MTRS, WIDTH 20MTRS, HT 5.5MTRS. ORIENTATION 357/177 DEGS. SCOUR DIMENSIONS LENGTH 90MTRS, WIDTH 80MTRS, 2MTRS DEEP, TOWARDS 271 DEGS. (CLINTON MARINE SURVEY AB, HI 1586). AMEND DW 31MTRS IN REVISED POSN.

Circumstances of loss

EX-CEUTS, EX-ELBE. BUILT IN 1923 BY HAMBURGER-ELBE SCHIFFSW. OWNED AT THE TIME OF LOSS BY KONINKL. NEDERL. STOOMB. MAATS NV. ONE BOILER, TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE OF 126NHP, SINGLE SHAFT. PASSAGE SOUTHAMPTON FOR FALMOUTH. IN BALLAST. WAS SUNK BY AIR ATTACK WHILE PART OF CONVOY CW9. FOUR MEN LOST. (DODS, D C WENDES, LL WW2 LOSSES & SIBI).

General Comments

WELL BROKEN, PARTLY BURIED

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 30.498 N,1 32.643 W
Ajax on Wreck Map Ajax Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the AJAX wreck located?

The AJAX wreck is located at coordinates 50 30.498 N,1 32.643 W.

How deep is the AJAX and where exactly is it located?

The AJAX lies at a depth of about 31.24 meters and is located at coordinates 50 30.498 N,1 32.643 W.

How deep is the seabed around the AJAX?

The seabed around the AJAX lies at approximately 37 meters deep.

When did the AJAX sink?

The AJAX sank on Aug 8, 1940.

When was the wreck of the AJAX discovered?

The wreck of the AJAX was discovered in 1940.

What country did the AJAX belong to?

The AJAX belonged to NL.

What cargo was the AJAX carrying?

The AJAX was carrying ballast.

What was the tonnage of the AJAX?

The AJAX had a tonnage of 942 tons.

What type of wreck is the AJAX?

The AJAX is classified as a steam ship.

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