Bethlehem Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Bethlehem Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		1 17.33 N,104 9.37 E
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 1.288833
  • Longitude: 104.156167
Wreck Depth 26.6 m
Water Depth 30 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name BETHLEHEM
Type motor vessel
Flag LR
Length 125.9 m
Width 17.4 m
Draught 11.6
Tonnage 5194
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo construction materials,cement,metal: concentrate and products
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Aug 2, 1969
Bottom Texture Mud
Original Detection Year 1969
Last Detection Year 2023
Original Source Lloyd's and Marine Underwriter's reports
Surveying Details H4204/68 5.8.69 DW REPD IN GEN DEPTH 20FMS IN 011706N, 1040938E. (SIGNAL DTD 2 AUG). POSN REPD AS 011612N, 10408E. (LLOYDS VOL.197). ACCEPT SIGNAL POSN, NCA YET, AWAIT SINGAPORE NM. H4204/68 25.9.69 DW IN 011706N, 1040938E. (SINGAPORE NM 10/69). - NM 1549/69. 28.10.74 HYDROPAC STATES WK IS 52FT DEEP IN 011721N, 1040928E APPROX. (NAVEAST 037/74). NCA YET. H4204/68 13.11.74 LEAST DEPTH 16MTRS [8FMS 4FT] IN 011721N, 1040928E. (SINGAPORE NM 51/74). - NM 2217/74. H4204/68 4.3.75 G CONL LT BUOY, GPFL(3)G.10S LAID CLOSE E OF WK. (SINGAPORE NM 54/74). - NM 581/75. H4204/68 21.4.75 LOCATED DURING JOINT HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY. SUBSEQUENT DIVING OPS CONFIRMED THAT WK WAS SS 'BETHLEHEM' FROM MANUFACTURERS PLATE & CARGO. (PSA LETTER DTD 3.3.75). NCA. H4204/68 29.10.76 SALVAGE OPS BEING CARRIED OUT ON WK. (PEN. MALAYSIA TNM 45/76). NAVEAST 022/76 ISSUED. REPEATED IN TOKYO TNM 1031/76. NCA. H4204/68 10.2.77 WK CLEARED OF ALL OBSTNS TO LEAST DEPTH BY E/S OF 26MTRS. (PEN. MALAYSIA NM 1/77). PRESUMABLY BUOY REMOVED. - NM 519/77. H4204/68 11.7.77 ABOVE WK BUOY REPORTED UNLIT ON 17.5.77. (NAVEAST 013/77). H4204/68 11.10.77 WK BUOY NO LONGER IN POSN NOR IN VICINITY. (HMAS MELBOURNE, SIGNAL DTD 6 SEPT). NAVEAST 013/77 CANCELLED. 19.12.77 LEAST E/S DEPTH OF 26MTRS CONFIRMED. (MARINE DEPT, MALAYSIA). NCA. 27.2.99 NOW CHARTED IN 0117.357N, 104 09.390E [WGD][LOCAL FIT]. NE 2569. 26.9.02 SHOWN IN 0117.343N, 10409.376E ON SINGAPORE 4043 [2002 EDN, JOINT PUBLICATION]. NC 4043. 8.5.04 SHOWN IN 0117.343N, 10409.376E [WGD] ON SINGAPORE 4042 [2004 EDN, JOINT PUBLICATION]. NE 4042.
Last Amended Date Jun 4, 2024

Circumstances of loss

VESSEL, BUILT IN 1939 BY SWAN, HUNTER & WIGHAM RICHARDSON, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY CIA NAV PEARL, S.A.. ON PASSAGE FROM TOKYO FOR ADEN. BROKE IN THREE & SANK ONE HOUR AFTER COLLISION WITH JAPANESE TANKER 'SHOWA MARU'. SEVEN LIVES LOST, 28 SAVED. (MSD).

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 1 17.33 N,104 9.37 E
Bethlehem on Wreck Map Bethlehem Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the BETHLEHEM wreck located?

The BETHLEHEM wreck is located at coordinates 1 17.33 N,104 9.37 E.

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

The BETHLEHEM lies at a depth of about 26.6 meters and is located at coordinates 1 17.33 N,104 9.37 E.

How deep is the seabed around the BETHLEHEM?

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

When did the BETHLEHEM sink?

The BETHLEHEM sank on Aug 2, 1969.

When was the wreck of the BETHLEHEM discovered?

The wreck of the BETHLEHEM was discovered in 1969.

What country did the BETHLEHEM belong to?

The BETHLEHEM belonged to LR.

What cargo was the BETHLEHEM carrying?

The BETHLEHEM was carrying construction materials,cement,metal: concentrate and products.

What was the tonnage of the BETHLEHEM?

The BETHLEHEM had a tonnage of 5194 tons.

What type of wreck is the BETHLEHEM?

The BETHLEHEM is classified as a motor vessel.

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