Birgitte Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Birgitte Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 8.668 N,4 11.845 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.144467
  • Longitude: -4.197417
Wreck Depth 48 m
Water Depth 62 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name BIRGITTE
Type steam ship
Flag BRITISH
Length 77.3 m
Width 11.9 m
Draught 4.7
Sonar Length 77.2
Sonar Width 12.3
Shadow Height 13.59
Orientation 58
Tonnage 1595
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo ballast
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Nov 19, 1942
Bottom Texture Sand
Debris Field CLOSE TO WK
Original Detection Year 1960
Last Detection Year 2014
Original Source naval vessel
Surveying Details SUNK 118 DEGS, 5.5 MILES FROM EDDYSTONE LT. (LLOYDS WAR LOSSES, WW2). H0113/45 4.4.60 GOOD ECHO & GOOD SONAR CONTACT IN APPROX 500842N, 041130W [OGB]. LENGTH 90FT, HEIGHT 28FT. (ESCORT GROUP 2, 13.3.45 & PLYMOUTH LIST, 4.7.45). H4267/70 7.12.70 NDW IN 500848N, 041145W [OGB] USING DECCA. (MR ARMSTRONG). NC 1613. H4808/72 29.12.72 CONTACTS IN 500845N, 041128W; 500847N, 041154W; 500844N, 041112W; 500844.5N, 041122W. POSN BY DECCA. (MR CALKIN, 1972). NCA. H3110/72 4.1.73 WK EXAM'D IN 500837N, 0041145.8W [OGB] USING HIFIX [2 LOP]. LEAST E/S DEPTH 51.0 IN GEN DEPTH 62.0MTRS. NO SCOUR. GOOD SONAR CONTACT FROM ALL DIRNS. FLAT BOTTOM. SEABED OF FINE SAND, GRAVEL & MUD. (HMS HECATE, 1973). CHART AS WK 51MTRS IN 500837N, 041146W [OGB]. NC 1267. H1280/76/31 30.3.76 FISHERMENS FASTENER IN 500846N, 041147W [OGB] USING DECCA. (LTR DATED 29.1.76 REFERS). NCA. H4514/76 16.9.76 WK IN 500844.90N, 041146.85W [OGB] USING DECCA. HEIGHT OF WK 36FT APPROX BY E/S IN GEN DEPTH 35FMS. (T ALLEN, 9.9.76). NCA. H1270/75 24.10.79 FF IN 500847N, 041138W [OGB] USING DECCA. (BOWEN WK RECORDS). NCA. HH100/351/21 24.8.04 DIVED IN 5008.665N, 0411.852W [WGD]. LIES ON HARD SEABED, PROBABLY ROCK, WITH SOME SILT. GEN DEPTH 65MTRS. BOW LIST WITH LIST TO STBD AND TWO LARGE ANCHORS IN PLACE. TWO HOLDS FWD OF THE BRIDGE AREA ARE COLLAPSED AT THE AFTER END, ON THE PORT SIDE TO SEABED LEVEL. BRIDGE AND STERN ARE UPRIGHT. THE LEVEL BELOW DECK LEVEL IS ACCESSIBLE FROM THE FIRST HOLD AND IS ABOUT 2MTRS HIGH, WITH A ROW OF PORTHOLES STILL FIRMLY IN PLACE. (M ADES, EMAIL DTD 20.8.04). AMEND POSN. BR STD. H- 3.7.07 AFT OF BOILERS WK IS INTACT BUT LITTLE REMAINS OF DECKING OR HULL SIDES. BOILERS ARE WELL EXPOSED BUT DIFFICULT TO LOCATE THE ENGINE IN THE DEBRIS. INTACT COUNTER STERN CAN BE SEEN. PROP HAS LARGE BOSS AND ONE BLADE TOUCHES THE SEABED AT 68MTRS. (SOUTH-WEST MAFIA, WEBSITE). NCA. 24.10.07 MEASURED BEAM MATCHES THAT OF BIRGETTE. THERE IS CONCRETE BLAST CLADDING IN THE BRIDGE AREA WHICH IS TYPICAL OF WW2 USE. A CHINA CUP DATED 1942 HAS BEEN RECOVERED FROM THE GALLEY. (N R CHIPCHASE). NCA. 5.9.08 IDENTITY CONFIRMED BY RECOVERY OF BUILDER'S PLATE. (N R CHIPCHASE). NCA. SEP 2014/000153315 11.9.14 EXAM'D 21.6.14 IN 5008.668N, 0411.845W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 48.81 IN GEN DEPTH 62.4MTRS. NO SCOUR. LENGTH 77.2MTRS, WIDTH 12.3MTRS, HT 13.59MTRS. LIES 058/238 DEGS. STRONG MAGNETIC ANOMALY. INTACT, UPRIGHT, COLLAPSED MIDSHIPS. (MMT, HI 1454). MINOR DEBRIS AROUND WK. AMEND WK 48MTRS IN REVISED POSN.
Last Amended Date Sep 11, 2014

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1930 BY HELSINGORS HERNST & MAK, ELINSORE. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY THE MINISTRY OF WAR TRANSPORT. 4 CYLINDER ENGINE (2 + 2). PART OF CONVOY PW 250 FROM WHICH HMS ULLSWATER, LAB AND YEWFOREST WERE ALSO LOST. TORPEDOED IN STBD SIDE BY E-BOAT. (N R CHIPCHASE). PASSAGE SOUTHAMPTON FOR BARRY IN BALLAST. TORPEDOED BY E-BOAT. 10 MEN LOST. (LLWW2).

General Comments

BOW & STERN INTACT, MIDSHIPS COLLAPSED

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 8.668 N,4 11.845 W
Birgitte on Wreck Map Birgitte Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the BIRGITTE wreck located?

The BIRGITTE wreck is located at coordinates 50 8.668 N,4 11.845 W.

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

The BIRGITTE lies at a depth of about 48 meters and is located at coordinates 50 8.668 N,4 11.845 W.

How deep is the seabed around the BIRGITTE?

The seabed around the BIRGITTE lies at approximately 62 meters deep.

When did the BIRGITTE sink?

The BIRGITTE sank on Nov 19, 1942.

When was the wreck of the BIRGITTE discovered?

The wreck of the BIRGITTE was discovered in 1960.

What country did the BIRGITTE belong to?

The BIRGITTE belonged to BRITISH.

What cargo was the BIRGITTE carrying?

The BIRGITTE was carrying ballast.

What was the tonnage of the BIRGITTE?

The BIRGITTE had a tonnage of 1595 tons.

What type of wreck is the BIRGITTE?

The BIRGITTE is classified as a steam ship.

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