Benin Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Benin Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		49 50.459 N,3 36.222 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 49.840983
  • Longitude: -3.603700
Wreck Depth 65 m
Water Depth 69 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name BENIN
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Length 86.6 m
Width 10.1 m
Draught 7.3
Sonar Length 53
Sonar Width 11
Shadow Height 4.5
Orientation 160
Tonnage 1530
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo animals (land & sea) and birds
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Mar 12, 1881
Bottom Texture Shells
Scour Dimensions 0000.0,,000.5,000
Original Detection Year 1977
Last Detection Year 2004
Original Source fishing vessel
Surveying Details H4514/76 27.4.77 H4514/76 27.4.77 SMALL WK, BELIEVED SALVAGED AND BADLY BROKEN, LOCATED 3.5.77 USING E/S IN 495029N, 033607W USING DECCA. (T ALLEN, 27.3.77). CHART AS USC 65MTRS. NC 442. H1270/76 7.12.81 H1270/76 7.12.81 AMEND TO NDW. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED). NE 2668. 8.5.84 8.5.84 REPD BY FISHERMAN IN 495027.5N, 033608W USING DECCA (E GILES, TELECON). NCA. HH100/351/03 3.8.90 HH100/351/03 3.8.90 SALVAGE VESSEL 'ALGEIRS ROSE' OBSERVED 14.7.90 CARRYING OUT SALVAGE WORK ON WK IN 495026.5N, 033610W USING DECCA. DIVERS REPORT WK AS WW1 VICTIM, 15000 TONS. BADLY DAMAGED AT STERN AND LYING N/S. TEEMING WITH CONGER EELS. (T ALLEN, 21.7.90). HH100/351/03 10.8.90 HH100/351/03 10.8.90 LARGER SALVAGE VESSEL MV 'GLENSHIRRA' NOW ON SITE. DIVERS NOW REPORT VESSEL SANK IN 1890 AND THAT IVORY IS BEING SALVAGED USING UNDER WATER EXPLOSIVES. (T ALLEN, 2.8.90). [COULD BE WK OF 'BENIN' - SEE ALSO [17977] IN 500300N, 031530W]. HH100/351/03 31.8.90 HH100/351/03 31.8.90 CONFIRMED AS WK OF THE 'BENIN'. 85 ELEPHANT TUSKS HAVE BEEN RECOVERED BY SALVAGE CREW ON MV 'GLENSHIRRA'. 94 TUSKS HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SALVAGED IN 1954. PRIOR TO SALVAGE WORK WK STOOD 8MTRS HIGH. (T ALLEN, 20 & 29.8.90; CUTTING FROM SUNDAY INDEPENDENT, 26.8.90). AMEND TO WK 57MTRS. BR STD.. HH100/351/14 20.3.99 HH100/351/14 20.3.99 LOCATED 1993-95 IN 4950.500N, 0336.144W [OGB] USING GPS. SALVAGE BOAT OUT OF DARTMOUTH WORKING OVER WRECK, THOUGHT TO BE SALVAGING IVORY TUSKS. (M SHARP FAX DTD 25.3.99). BR STD. HH100/351/20 6.8.03 HH100/351/20 6.8.03 DIVED IN 4950.450N, 0336.210W [OGB]. STANDS 3MTRS HIGH AT THE BOILER BY DIVE COMPUTER. SCOUR 1MTR DEEP EXTENDS 8MTRS E. MODERATE MAGNETIC ANOMALY. SEABED SAND & MUD. BROKEN AND FLATTENED. MOST PROMINENT FEATURES ARE A SINGLE BOILER AND A SMALL ENGINE. REMAINDER OF WK IS FAIRLY WELL SUNK INTO THE SEABED AND FILLED WITH SILT TO WITHIN 2-3 FT OF THE GUNWHALES. HEAVILY NETTED. NO OBVIOUS, VISIBLE CARGO REMAINS. (L BISHOP). NCA. HH091/059/01 18.4.05 HH091/059/01 18.4.05 EXAM'D 5.7.04 IN 4950.459N, 0336.222W [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST M/B DEPTH 65 IN GEN DEPTH 69.5MTRS. SCOUR <0.5MTR DEEP. LENGTH 53MTRS, WIDTH 11MTRS, HT 4.5MTRS. LIES 160/340 DEGS WITH BOWS TOWARDS 340 DEGS. MODERATE MAGNETIC ANOMALY. PARTIALLY BURIED. INTACT. (GARDLINE, HI 1059). AMEND WK 65MTRS. BR STD.
Last Amended Date Apr 18, 2005

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1869 IN GLASGOW. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY THE AFRICAN STEAMSHIP CO. COMPOUND INVERTED ENGINES OF 200NHP. PASSAGE WEST AFRICA FOR LIVERPOOL. SANK FOLLOWING A COLLISION. (DODS).

General Comments

WELL BROKEN UP, SALVAGED, BOWS NNW

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 49 50.459 N,3 36.222 W
Benin on Wreck Map Benin Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the BENIN wreck located?

The BENIN wreck is located at coordinates 49 50.459 N,3 36.222 W.

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

The BENIN lies at a depth of about 65 meters and is located at coordinates 49 50.459 N,3 36.222 W.

How deep is the seabed around the BENIN?

The seabed around the BENIN lies at approximately 69 meters deep.

When did the BENIN sink?

The BENIN sank on Mar 12, 1881.

When was the wreck of the BENIN discovered?

The wreck of the BENIN was discovered in 1977.

What country did the BENIN belong to?

The BENIN belonged to GB.

What cargo was the BENIN carrying?

The BENIN was carrying animals (land & sea) and birds.

What was the tonnage of the BENIN?

The BENIN had a tonnage of 1530 tons.

What type of wreck is the BENIN?

The BENIN is classified as a steam ship.

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