Bell Virtue Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Bell virtue Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 3.515 N,4 5.702 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.058583
  • Longitude: -4.095033
Wreck Depth 57 m
Water Depth 69 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name BELL VIRTUE
Type carrier
Length 80.8 m
Width 12.5 m
Draught 3.7
Sonar Length 83
Sonar Width 14
Shadow Height 12.1
Orientation 140
Tonnage 499
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo containers
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Apr 27, 1973
Bottom Texture Sand
Original Detection Year 1973
Last Detection Year 2005
Original Source Lloyd's and Marine Underwriter's reports
Last Amended Date Apr 19, 2005

Surveying Details

28.4.73 28.4.73 REPORTED TO HAVE SUNK 0.2M FROM THE POSN OF MV 'SUDERAU', WHICH IS CLAIMED TO LIE 135.5DEGS, 8.8M FROM EDDYSTONE LT. (LLOYDS 212) - NAVEAM 159/73 ISSUED. 2.5.73 2.5.73 POSN 500424N, 040612W IN CHARTED DEPTH OF 38FMS. (LLOYDS 212). 9.5.73 9.5.73 WK LOCATED IN 500329.64N, 040539.78W [OGB] WITH A LEAST DEPTH OF 60.0MTRS IN GENERAL DEPTH 69MTRS. (HMS HECATE, SIG DTD 8.3.73). NCA YET. H3110/72 4.6.73 H3110/72 4.6.73 WK LOCATED IN 500329.6N, 040539.8W [OGB] USING HIFIX [2 LOP]. VERY GOOD SONAR CONTACT, GOOD FIRM E/S TRACE. LIES IN FLAT BOTTOM AREA, CLOSE N OF WK [17420] IN 500324N, 040532W. LEAST E/S DEPTH 60 IN GEN DEPTH 69MTRS. SEABED OF SAND, BROKEN SHELL & MUD. NO SCOUR. (HMS HECATE, 1973). CHART AS WK 60MTRS IN 500330N, 040540W [OGB]. NC 1267. H1280/76/31 26.3.76 H1280/76/31 26.3.76 FF IN 500349N, 040602W [OGB] USING DECCA. (LTR DATED 29.1.76 REFERS). NCA.H4514/76 15.5.76 WK IN 500335.13N, 040539.12W [OGB] USING DECCA. RUN OVER WK WITH E/S, TRACE SUPPLIED ON 22.5.76. DRIFTING S-N OVER WK. HEIGHT OF WK 42FT APPROX IN GENERAL DEPTH 37FMS. HIGHEST POINT AT N END. (T ALLEN, 9.9.76). NCA.H2063/82 28.1.85 EXAM'D 18.7.84 IN 500334N, 040538W [OGB] USING DECCA. LEAST E/S DEPTH 57 IN GEN DEPTH 70MTRS. NO SCOUR. DCS3 HT 10MTRS. LARGE CONTACT, LYING UPRIGHT ON HDG 135DEGS. SOME DEBRIS, POSSIBLY PART OF CARGO, NEARBY. LIES APPROX 200MTRS N OF WK [17420]. (HMS FAWN, 5.12.84) AMEND TO WK 57MTRS, RETAIN HMS HECATE POSN. BR STD. HH091/057/01 19.4.05 HH091/057/01 19.4.05 EXAM'D 6.7.04 IN 5003.515N, 0405.702W [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST M/B DEPTH 57.2 IN GEN DEPTH 69.3MTRS. NO SCOUR. LENGTH 83MTRS, WIDTH 14MTRS, HT 12.1MTRS. LIES 140/320 DEGS WITH BOWS TOWARDS 320 DEGS. STRONG MAGNETIC ANOMALY. INTACT, UPRIGHT, CENTRE COLLAPSED OR OPEN. (GARDLINE, HI 1059). AMEND WK 57MTRS. BR STD.

Circumstances of loss

PASSAGE WATERFORD TO ROZENBURG. SANK FOLLOWING COLLISION IN DENSE FOG WITH PANAMANIAN M BULK CARRIER MARITIME PIONEER. (LL).

General Comments

INTACT, UPRIGHT, MIDSHIPS OPEN OR COLLAPSED, BOWS NW

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 3.515 N,4 5.702 W
Bell Virtue on Wreck Map Bell Virtue Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the BELL VIRTUE wreck located?

The BELL VIRTUE wreck is located at coordinates 50 3.515 N,4 5.702 W.

How deep is the BELL VIRTUE and where exactly is it located?

The BELL VIRTUE lies at a depth of about 57 meters and is located at coordinates 50 3.515 N,4 5.702 W.

How deep is the seabed around the BELL VIRTUE?

The seabed around the BELL VIRTUE lies at approximately 69 meters deep.

When did the BELL VIRTUE sink?

The BELL VIRTUE sank on Apr 27, 1973.

When was the wreck of the BELL VIRTUE discovered?

The wreck of the BELL VIRTUE was discovered in 1973.

What cargo was the BELL VIRTUE carrying?

The BELL VIRTUE was carrying containers.

What was the tonnage of the BELL VIRTUE?

The BELL VIRTUE had a tonnage of 499 tons.

What type of wreck is the BELL VIRTUE?

The BELL VIRTUE is classified as a carrier.

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