Betelgeuse Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Status lifted
Betelgeuse Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		51 41.27 N,9 31.95 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 51.687833
  • Longitude: -9.532500
Water Depth 30 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name BETELGEUSE
Type tanker
Flag FR
Length 281.6 m
Width 39 m
Draught 15.8
Tonnage 61766
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo oil
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jan 8, 1979
Original Detection Year 1979
Last Detection Year 1980
Original Source Lloyd's and Marine Underwriter's reports
Surveying Details 9.1.79 SINKING POSN GIVEN AS OFF GULF OIL JETTY, BANTRY BAY. (LL, 9.1.79). INS OBSTRUCTED AREA WITHIN 5 C OF WHIDDY ISLAND JETTY(514115N, 093151W). PASSAGE BETWEEN ISLAND ALSO OBSTRUCTED. - NM 282T/79 H4641/74 20.2.79 BOW SECTION TOWED AWAY FROM OIL TERMINAL TO ANCHORAGE IN BANTRY BAY. (LL, 13.2.79). H4641/74 27.2.79 BOW SECTION TOWED TO 504000N, 120400W AND SUNK BY CONTROLLED BALLASTING. (LL, 20.2.79 & MRCC SHANNON TELEX, DTD 23.279). H4641/74 8.10.79 MID-SECTION RAISED 30.8.79 AND ANCHORED WHIDDY HBR. IF POSSIBLE TO GIVE THIS SECTION MORE BUOYANCY. IT ALSO WILL BE TOWED AWAY & SUNK. WORK ON LIFTING AFTER SECTION PROCEEDING SLOWLY. (LL, 3.10.79). H4641/74 18.12.79 CENTRE SECTION, WEIGHING ESTIMATED 5400 TONS RAISED ONTO PONTOON BARGE, 9.12.79. WILL BE TOWED AWAY FOR SCRAPPING. STERN SECTION SHOULD BE LIFTED NEXT SUMMER. (LL, 12.12.79). 16.7.80 STERN SECTION, WEIGHING 7500 TONS, RAISED TO THE SURFACE AT CULMINATION OF 554 DAY SALVAGE OPERATION. (LL, 16.7.80). H4641/74 12.8.80 CONFIRMED THAT WHIDDY SEA ISLAND BERTH CLEAR OF OBTNS. (GULF OIL TERMINALS (IRE) LTR, DTD 12.8.80). H4641/74 26.8.80 REMOVED. NM 282T/79 CANCELLED. (IRISH LIGHTS). AMENDED TO LIFT. - NM 1929/80. H4641/74 11.11.80 STERN SECTION TOWED AWAY BY TUG 'ZWART ZEE' ON PONTOON 'GIANT 1' FOR VALENCIA FOR BREAKING. (LL, 29.9.80).
Last Amended Date Oct 13, 2009

Circumstances of loss

1.7.80 BUILT IN 1968 BY CHANTIERS DE L'ATLANTIQUE. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY CIE DE NAVOLES DE PETROLES. A TOTAL OF 50 LIVES WERE LOST WHEN THE TANKER WAS BLOWN APART BY A MASSIVE EXPLOSION WHILE BERTHED AT WHIDDY ISLAND, BANTRY BAY. SHE WAS STILL LOADED WITH SOME 40,000 TONS OF HER ORIGINAL 120,000 TON CARGO OF SAUDI CRUDE. THE EXPLOSION, WHICH RIPPED THROUGH THE VESSEL'S TANKS WHILE UNLOADING, SPLIT HER INTO TWO PARTS, BOTH OF WHICH SANK, CAUSING HEAVY LEAKAGE OF OIL INTO THE SEA. FLAMES LEAPT 600FT INTO THE AIR AND THE FIRE LASTED 24 HOURS UNTIL IT BURNT ITSELF OUT. THE TERMINAL WAS ALSO HEAVILY DAMAGED. THE STERN COMPLETELY SANK, WHILE THE BOW PROTRUDED FROM THE WATER AT 30 DEGREES. THE BOW WAS LIFTED AND SCUTTLED IN DEEP WATER [56013]. THE MIDSHIPS SECTION WAS LATER LIFTED AND THE STERN SECTION WAS FINALLY CLEARED ON 1.7.80. BOTH WERE TAKEN TO SPAIN FOR BREAKING. THE TOTAL LIABILITY CLAIM TOPPED

General Comments

SANK IN THREE PARTS, ALL LATER LIFTED

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 51 41.27 N,9 31.95 W
Betelgeuse on Wreck Map Betelgeuse Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the BETELGEUSE wreck located?

The BETELGEUSE wreck is located at coordinates 51 41.27 N,9 31.95 W.

How deep is the seabed around the BETELGEUSE?

The seabed around the BETELGEUSE lies at approximately 30 meters deep.

When did the BETELGEUSE sink?

The BETELGEUSE sank on Jan 8, 1979.

When was the wreck of the BETELGEUSE discovered?

The wreck of the BETELGEUSE was discovered in 1979.

What country did the BETELGEUSE belong to?

The BETELGEUSE belonged to FR.

What cargo was the BETELGEUSE carrying?

The BETELGEUSE was carrying oil.

What was the tonnage of the BETELGEUSE?

The BETELGEUSE had a tonnage of 61766 tons.

What type of wreck is the BETELGEUSE?

The BETELGEUSE is classified as a tanker.

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