Britsum Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Status Dead = Not detected by numerous sources therefore considered not to exist
Britsum Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 40.402 N,0 47.739 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.673367
  • Longitude: -0.795650
Wreck Depth 1.5 m
Water Depth 5 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name BRITSUM
Type steam ship
Flag NL
Length 128.3 m
Width 17.1 m
Draught 7.9
Tonnage 5255
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo clay products
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jul 4, 1940
Bottom Texture Sand
Original Detection Year 1941
Last Detection Year 2003
Original Source naval vessel
Surveying Details H3603/41 25.10.41 ST IN 504022N, 004739W. (CSO, HMS VERNON/GRAEMSAY). - NM 2500/41. H0521/40 30.10.46 NO LONGER VISIBLE. TO BE CHARTED AS DW. (CSO, HMS VERNON). AMEND TO DW. - NM 3624/46. H0521/40 25.11.46 G CAN BUOY LAID 1C S OF WK. (TH, NM 133/46). - NM 3808/46. H0521/40 27.1.47 DISPERSED, NO PEAKS LEFT STANDING. (HMS GRAEMSAY, 17.1.47). H0521/40 27.2.47 DRIFT SWEEP IN 504021N, 004737W. LEAST DEPTH 6FT. (CSO, HMS PORTSMOUTH, 17.2.47). H0521/40 26.4.47 4 SWEEPS CARRIED OUT WITH SHIPS HEAVY WIRE. NO PART OF WK MORE THAN 5FT ABOVE SEABED & IN FRAGMENTS. (HMS STEEPHOLM, 12.4.47). H0521/40 20.9.47 SWEEP AFTER DISPERSION BY DIVERS. SOUTHERN PORTION CLEAR AT 5FT, FOUL AT 6.5FT. NORTHERN PORTION CLEAR AT 8FT, FOUL AT 9FT. TRACING HELD. (CSO, HMS PORTSMOUTH, 4.9.47). H0521/40 6.10.50 AMENDED TO WK 1FM 0FT & DELETE BUOY. - NM 1891/50. H2214/70 4.3.70 NOT LOCATED DESPITE INTENSIVE SEARCH BY TRANSIT & FISHERMANS SONAR. (SCES, 23.1.70). DELETED. BR STD. 15.3.73 REMAINS SCATTERED OVER WIDE AREA. LONGEST PIECE STICKS UP ABOUT 8FT. (TELECON SUB-AQUA SWIMMER). H2214/70 23.3.73 RE-INSERTED AS SW 1.5MTRS. NC 2045. HH091/005/01 28.11.03 EXAM'D 2.8.03 IN 5040.402N, 0047.739W [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 3.5 IN GEN DEPTH 3.5MTRS. NO SCOUR. NOT INVESTIGATED BY DCS3 AND MAGNETOMETER DUE TO LARGE NUMBER OF FISHING FLOATS. LIES ON THE DEEP SIDE OF A SHOAL REEF AND IS NOT THE CONTROLLING DEPTH IN THE AREA. (NP 1016, HI 1005). RETAIN AS SW 1.5MTRS IN REVISED POSN. BR STD. SEP2020/000036549 20.02.20 EXAM'D 21.10.18; NOT LOCATED BY M/B SURVEY (2018). (CLINTON MARINE SURVEY AB, HI 1561). AMEND TO DEAD.
Last Amended Date Feb 20, 2020

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1929 BY VAN DER GIESSEN & Z SCHEPS, KRIMPEN. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY STOOMV MAATS 'OOSTZEE'. THREE BOILERS, QUADRUPLE EXPANSION ENGINE OF 549NHP, SINGLE SHAFT. PASSAGE FOWEY FOR HULL. BOMBED BY GERMAN AIRCRAFT & SET ON FIRE. BEACHED NEAR SELSEY BILL BUT ROUGH WEATHER CAUSED IT TO BECOME TOTALLY WRECKED. 9 MEN LOST. (SIBI & DODS).

General Comments

VERY CLOSE S OF SHOALER REEF, MANY FISHING BUOYS

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 40.402 N,0 47.739 W
Britsum on Wreck Map Britsum Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the BRITSUM wreck located?

The BRITSUM wreck is located at coordinates 50 40.402 N,0 47.739 W.

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

The BRITSUM lies at a depth of about 1.5 meters and is located at coordinates 50 40.402 N,0 47.739 W.

How deep is the seabed around the BRITSUM?

The seabed around the BRITSUM lies at approximately 5 meters deep.

When did the BRITSUM sink?

The BRITSUM sank on Jul 4, 1940.

When was the wreck of the BRITSUM discovered?

The wreck of the BRITSUM was discovered in 1941.

What country did the BRITSUM belong to?

The BRITSUM belonged to NL.

What cargo was the BRITSUM carrying?

The BRITSUM was carrying clay products.

What was the tonnage of the BRITSUM?

The BRITSUM had a tonnage of 5255 tons.

What type of wreck is the BRITSUM?

The BRITSUM is classified as a steam ship.

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