Bolivar (Mv) (Bow) Wreck

Field Value
Bolivar (mv) (bow) Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		53 16.098 N,5 55.430 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 53.268300
  • Longitude: -5.923830
Name BOLIVAR (MV) (BOW)
Type freighter
Date Sunk Mar 6, 1947
Original Source Brady et. Al. 2012, 172; De Courcy Ireland, J., 1986, 455-64; The Irish Times, 5 March 1947; 6 March 1947; 7 March 1947; 8 March 1947; Lowth 2002, 50-63; www.mii.connect.ie
WRECK MAP LOADING ... 53 16.098 N,5 55.430 W
Bolivar (Mv) (Bow) on Wreck Map Bolivar (Mv) (Bow) Wreck on Google Map
Wreck No: W09480, Place of Loss: Kish Bank, Source of Coordinate: GSI Wreck Data (Wreck No_279), Description: The MV Bolivar was a 5,320-ton cargo vessel and at the time of its loss was owned by the Norwegian shipping company, Fred Olsen. The cargo ship was laid down in the yard of Akers Mekaniske Verksted of Oslo in 1939 and was launched, ready for fitting out, in 1940. However, following the German invasion of Norway in April of 1940, the ship lay alongside the quay wall at the Akers yard for the duration of the war. The Bolivar was finally completed in 1946, setting out on her maiden voyage, to South America, in December of that year. It was upon her return from Buenos Aires to Dublin via Liverpool in early March 1947, with a cargo of grain and bales of leather, that the diesel-powered vessel ran aground on the Kish Bank during a snow storm. Several attempts were made to take the vessel off the bank, but the wind direction and the falling tide both conspired to keep her stuck fast. As the tide continued to drop, the ship broke in two amidships, with the fore part of the vessel drifting clear and settling 100m away from the stern section. A Dublin-based tug, the Coliemore, and a Dún Laoghaire lifeboat, the Dun Leary 2, came to the Bolivar’s aid and successfully rescued the 39 crew and 12 passengers.Despite hopes of salvaging the stern section, both the ship and cargo became a total loss. The bow section remained largely intact and sank, while the after section was cut down to about the main deck line and was partially salvaged by the Hammond Lane Scrap Company in 1948. On the seafloor At the time of its loss the wreck was largely dispersed because she was an obstruction to navigation, but nonetheless a substantial amount of the ship’s hull and machinery remain to be seen. The bow section initially remained largely intact and sank beneath the surface, while the after section was cut down to about the main deck line. Today the wreck lies in two main parts, with the stern measuring 83m in length, 16m in width and 5.34m in maximum height. The stern is orientated E–W on the seabed, in a general sea depth of 10m. The remains of the fore section of the vessel lie over 100m to the NE and are largely buried. ----------------------------

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FAQ

Where is the BOLIVAR (MV) (BOW) wreck located?

The BOLIVAR (MV) (BOW) wreck is located at coordinates 53 16.098 N,5 55.430 W.

When did the BOLIVAR (MV) (BOW) sink?

The BOLIVAR (MV) (BOW) sank on Mar 6, 1947.

What type of wreck is the BOLIVAR (MV) (BOW)?

The BOLIVAR (MV) (BOW) is classified as a freighter.

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