Politician (Stern Section) Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Politician (stern section) Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		57 6.059 N,7 16.388 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 57.100983
  • Longitude: -7.273133
Water Depth 5 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION)
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Length 143.6 m
Width 17.7 m
Draught 12.5
Sonar Length 72
Sonar Width 20
Orientation 45
Tonnage 7939
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo general and mixed goods,foodstuffs: liquid
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Feb 5, 1941
Bottom Texture Sand
Original Detection Year 1941
Last Detection Year 1994
Original Source unknown
Surveying Details STRANDED IN APPROX 570400N, 071630W [OGB]. (AUTHORITY NOT KNOWN). H1286/75 19.8.75 LIES IN 570607N, 071628W [OGB]. ONLY NO.5 HOLD AND PART OF PROP. SHAFT REMAINS. DOZENS OF BROKEN WHISKY BOTTLES ARE SCATTERED AMONGST HEAVY KELP WHICH OBSCURES THE WKGE. (D SLOAN, 31.7.75). H1309/75 8.1.76 STERN SECTION LOCATED IN SOUND OF ERISKAY IN POSN 069DEG [T], 2.5C FROM CALVAY ROCK. LEAST DEPTH OVER WK AT CHART DATUM WAS 1.0MTR. WK LIES ON AXIS NE/SW AND COVERS AN AREA 72 X 20MTRS. ENGINE ROOM FITTINGS AND A PROPELLER WERE LOCATED. THERE IS EVIDENCE OF CLEARANCE USING EXPLOSIVE DEMOLITION AND LITTLE REMAINS OF THE WRECK ABOVE THE KEEL OTHER THAN THE PROPELLER SHAFT AND OTHER ROBUST SECTIONS. FUEL OIL IS REPORTED STILL HELD WITHIN THE LOWER PART OF THE WK AND LOCAL FISHERMEN ARE ANXIOUS THAT FURTHER DISTURBANCE SHOULD NOT TAKE PLACE. (ASADA, EXERCISE WRECK HUNTER, REPORT). H1280/15/77 ORIGINALLY AGROUND IN 570400N, 071630W [OGB]. STERN SECTION WAS TOWED SOME YEARS AGO TO SHELTERED POSN NEAR CALVAY ROCK AND SYSTEMATICALLY AND ILLEGALLY SALVAGED OF ALL NON-FERROUS METALS. APPARENTLY ABOUT 1000 TONS WRECKAGE REMAINS. COVERED IN KELP. (J MOOR, IOS). H1270/79 3.6.83 INS AS DW PA IN 570606N, 071612W [OGB]. BR STD. HH272/350/01 7.8.84 WK IS VIRTUALLY TOTALLY COVERED WITH SAND. ONLY SMALL AMOUNT REMAINING SUPERSTRUCTURE PROTRUDES ABOVE SEABED, IN GEN DEPTH 5MTRS. (LT M J LAW, REME). 22.1.87 POSITION TAKEN FROM AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY: 570604.5N, 071620W [OGB] ON PHOTOPLOT PG 1423-LP1. AMENDED TO TO NDW IN REVISED POSN. NE 2770. 20.3.89 SALVAGE OPERATION PLANNED FOR EARLY SUMMER BY MR DONALD MACPHEE TO RECOVER THE 2-7,000 CASES OF WHISKY AND JAMAICAN BANK NOTES THAT ARE STILL IN THE WK. MAST TOPS OF VESSEL ARE 30FT BELOW SURFACE WITH A FURTHER 50FT BETWEEN UPPER DECK AND KEEL. (D TELEGRAPH, 20.3.89). THIS DOES FIT WELL WITH PREVIOUS DESCRIPTIONS RECEIVED. HH272/350/01 31.1.90 FURTHER REFERENCE TO PROPOSED SALVAGE ATTEMPT TO BE ATTEMPTED SPRING 1990. (THE GUARDIAN, 13.12.89). HH272/350/01 4.4.90 HH272/350/01 4.4.90 TIMES, 20.3.90). HH100/351/08 10.8.94 LOCATED BY DIVER. WELL BROKEN, STANDS 1-2MTRS ABOVE SEABED. WELL COVERED IN KELP. (J LEIGH). 24.11.04 TONS OF SAND MOVED BY AIRLIFT AND STEEL PLATES LIFTED DURING SALVAGE OPERATIONS IN 1990. ONLY 24 BOTTLES RECOVERED. SAND HAS NOW DRIFTED BACK OVER WK TOGETHER WITH SEAWEED GROWTH. PHOTO OF VESSEL. (K MCDONALD, DIVER MAGAZINE, NOV '04).
Last Amended Date Dec 13, 2004

Circumstances of loss

EX-LONDON MERCHANT. BUILT IN 1923 BY FURNESS SHIPBUILDING CO. LTD, HAVERTON HILL-ON-TEES, WITH FOUR BOILERS, SCREW ENGINE, 2 STEAM TURBINES FOR 1004HP, SINGLE SHAFT. MACHINERY BY J BROWN & CO. LTD, GLASGOW. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY CHARENTE SS CO LTD. PASSAGE LIVERPOOL FOR NEW ORLEANS. RAN AGROUND ON ROCKS IN FOG AND HEAVY WEATHER. REPORTED TO BE CARRYING 243,000 BOTTLES OF SPIRITS. THIS LOSS WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE NOVEL 'WHISKY GALORE' BY COMPTON MACKENZIE. (SIBI). CHARENTE SS CO LTD WAS A SUBSIDIARY OF THOMAS & JAMES HARRISON, LIVERPOOL. PRESENTLY OWNED BY SS POLITICIAN PLC. (K MCDONALD, DIVER MAGAZINE, NOV '04).

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 57 6.059 N,7 16.388 W
Politician (Stern Section) on Wreck Map Politician (Stern Section) Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION) wreck located?

The POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION) wreck is located at coordinates 57 6.059 N,7 16.388 W.

How deep is the seabed around the POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION)?

The seabed around the POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION) lies at approximately 5 meters deep.

When did the POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION) sink?

The POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION) sank on Feb 5, 1941.

When was the wreck of the POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION) discovered?

The wreck of the POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION) was discovered in 1941.

What country did the POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION) belong to?

The POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION) belonged to GB.

What cargo was the POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION) carrying?

The POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION) was carrying general and mixed goods,foodstuffs: liquid.

What was the tonnage of the POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION)?

The POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION) had a tonnage of 7939 tons.

What type of wreck is the POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION)?

The POLITICIAN (STERN SECTION) is classified as a steam ship.

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