Nicholas C. Wreck
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Wreck Category | non-dangerous wreck |
|
Nicholas c. Wreck Location Marine Coordinates (DMM) |
20 1 S,38 49 E |
| Latitude, Longitude Decimal Degrees |
|
| Water Depth | 2550 m |
| Water Level Effect | always under water/submerged |
| Vertical Datum | Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide |
| Name | NICHOLAS C. |
| Type | bulk carrier |
| Flag | PA |
| Length | 174.7 m |
| Width | 22.9 m |
| Draught | 13.4 |
| Tonnage | 13488 |
| Tonnage Type | gross |
| Cargo | grain |
| Conspic Visual | not visually conspicuous |
| Conspic Radar | not radar conspicuous |
| Original Detection Year | 1975 |
| Original Source | Lloyd's and Marine Underwriter's reports |
| Surveying Details | 9.7.75 REPORT THAT FRENCH S TANKER 'PORTHOS' HAVE PICKED UP MASTER & 27 SPANISH CREW OF 'NICHOLAS C' ON 5.7.75 IN 200100S, 384900E APPROX. VESSEL SUPPOSEDLY SANK. LATER, REPORT THAT VESSEL STILL AFLOAT BUT SINKING BY THE STERN. TUG 'BARBARA' SEARCHING FOR VESSEL BUT SO FAR NOT SEEN. (LL 8.7.75). NCA. 11.7.75 AIR SEARCH CONDUCTED WITH NO TRACE OF VESSEL, NOW PRESUMED LOST. AS A RESULT OF LOCATING AN OIL SLICK IN 200000S, 382000E THOUGHT TO BE ONLY POSN POSSIBLE FOR SITE OF SINKING. (LL 10 & 11.7.75). NCA. 14.6.76 REPORT THAT VESSEL FOUNDERED IN 200100S, 384900E AFTER ENGINE FAILURE. (LLOYDS CASUALTY RETURNS 6.9.75). NCA. |
| Last Amended Date | Sep 10, 2003 |
Circumstances of loss
BUILT IN 1944 BY SUN SHIP BUILDING & DRY DOCK CO, CHESTER, PA. NEW FWD AND CARGO SECTION BUILT IN 1963 BY CANTIERI NAVALI DE TARANTO, TARANTO. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY OBO TANKER CORP. PASSAGE SOREL, QUEBEC FOR BASRA. HAD A COMPLETE BOILER BREAKDOWN WHICH LEFT VESSEL ADRIFT SOME 200M FROM BEIRA. AFTER DRIFTING HELPLESSLY FOR 13 DAYS THE CREW ABANDONED SHIP AFTER SHE BEGAN TO SINK DUE TO WATER IN THE ENGINE-ROOM. THE CREW WERE SAFELY PICKED UP, BUT THE VESSEL WAS NOT SEEN AGAIN AND PRESUMED TO HAVE SUNK SHORTLY AFTER BEING ABANDONED. (MSD)..