Birtley Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Birtley Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		54 15.647 N,0 1.466 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 54.260783
  • Longitude: -0.024433
Wreck Depth 40.5 m
Water Depth 52 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name BIRTLEY
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Length 74.8 m
Width 11.2 m
Draught 4.9
Sonar Length 74.3
Sonar Width 19
Shadow Height 11.6
Orientation 77
Tonnage 1438
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo ballast
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jan 4, 1918
Bottom Texture Sand
Scour Dimensions 024.2,,000.3,077.0
Original Detection Year 1975
Last Detection Year 2016
Original Source fishing vessel
Last Amended Date Jun 27, 2016

Surveying Details

H2534/74 9.4.75 WK IN 541524N, 000112W. (KINGFISHER OBSTN REPORT NO 106). INS AS USC 20MTRS. BR STD. H2534/74 16.12.79 BAD OBSTN (WK) IN 541522N, 000131W. POSN BY DECCA. (KINGFISHER BOOK OF TOWS VOL 1). NCA. 16.1.80 INS AS NDW IN 541522N, 000113W. BR STD. HH090/730/01 15.12.97 EXAM'D 13.6.97 IN 541539.1N, 000125.7W [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 47 IN GEN DEPTH 52MTRS. NO SCOUR. DCS3 HT 6.5MTRS. LENGTH 88MTRS, WIDTH 12MTRS. LIES 065/245 DEGS. BADLY DECOMPOSED WITH MINOR DEBRIS (<0.4MTR) TO THE E AND W. SAND ENCROACHMENT OVER THE MAJORITY OF THE WK. (GARDLINE, HI 730). BR STD. HH100/351/17 25.4.01 DIVED IN 1999. THIS IS THE BIRTLEY. IDENTIFIED BY THE MAKER'S PLATE LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE BOILER. SITS ON AN EVEN KEEL. BOW INTACT FROM FORECASTLE FWD AND SHROUDED IN TRAWL NETS. COLLAPSED FROM BOW TO BRIDGE. TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE IS UPRIGHT. STERN NOT DIVED. (A C JACKSON/C A RACEY). NCA. 21.1.09 EXAM'D 2008 BY SUBMERSIBLE. LEAST 71MTRS LENGTH, WIDTH 17MTRS, HT 3MTRS. (OCEAN TECH FOUNDATION, SEARCH FOR BON RICHARD). NCA. SEP 2016/000007250 07.06.16 EXAM'D 18.02.16 IN 5415.647N, 0001.466W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 40.5MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 52MTRS. LENGTH 74.3MTRS, WIDTH 19MTRS, HT 11.6MTRS, ORIENTATION 077/257. SCOUR LENGTH 24.2MTRS, 0.3MTRS DEEP TOWARDS 077. WK PARTIALLY INTACT, DEGRADED SEVERAL PIECES. (EGS, HI 1472). AMEND NDW 40MTRS. IN REVISED POSN.

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1906 BY WOOD, SKINNER & CO OF NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY THE BURNETT SS CO LTD. SINGLE BOILER, TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE OF 167 HP, SINGLE SHAFT. MACHINERY MIDSHIPS BY THE NE MARINE ENGINEERING CO, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE. PASSAGE DUNKIRK FOR BLYTH. IN BALLAST. WAS TORPEDOED AND SUNK BY UB 38. EIGHTEEN LOST.

General Comments

Partially intact, only centre structure remaining

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 54 15.647 N,0 1.466 W
Birtley on Wreck Map Birtley Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the BIRTLEY wreck located?

The BIRTLEY wreck is located at coordinates 54 15.647 N,0 1.466 W.

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

The BIRTLEY lies at a depth of about 40.5 meters and is located at coordinates 54 15.647 N,0 1.466 W.

How deep is the seabed around the BIRTLEY?

The seabed around the BIRTLEY lies at approximately 52 meters deep.

When did the BIRTLEY sink?

The BIRTLEY sank on Jan 4, 1918.

When was the wreck of the BIRTLEY discovered?

The wreck of the BIRTLEY was discovered in 1975.

What country did the BIRTLEY belong to?

The BIRTLEY belonged to GB.

What cargo was the BIRTLEY carrying?

The BIRTLEY was carrying ballast.

What was the tonnage of the BIRTLEY?

The BIRTLEY had a tonnage of 1438 tons.

What type of wreck is the BIRTLEY?

The BIRTLEY is classified as a steam ship.

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