Shirala Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Shirala Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 40.931 N,0 35.224 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.682183
  • Longitude: -0.587067
Wreck Depth 13.91 m
Water Depth 21 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name SHIRALA
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Length 125 m
Width 15.5 m
Draught 8.8
Sonar Length 138
Sonar Width 34
Shadow Height 7.1
Orientation 165
Tonnage 5306
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo armament,general and mixed goods,animals (land & sea) and birds,wine
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jul 2, 1918
Bottom Texture 4,6
Original Detection Year 1918
Last Detection Year 2018
Original Source other
Surveying Details H3867/18 6.7.18 SUNKEN STEAMER, BOTH MASTS SHOWING, IN 504050N, 003430W. (ADMIRALTY). - NM 852/18. H8924/20 20.11.20 SURVEYED IN 504050N, 003430W. LEAST DEPTH 46FT. (TH, 11.11.20). - NM 1948/20. H4726/34 16.8.34 FOULED WITH OROPESA SWEEP SET AT 7FMS. DRIFT SWEEP CLEAR AT 23FT, FOUL 25FT. POSN 151.5DEGS, 7.02M FROM BOGNOR REGIS CH SPIRE. (HMS FLINDERS, 13.7.34). - NM 1378/34. H4726/34 19.7.35 DISPERSED TO 46FT LWST. POSN 151.5DEGS, 7.02M FROM BOGNOR REGIS CHURCH SPIRE. BUOY REMOVED. (TH NM 40/34 & TH NM L1475/35 DTD 3.7.35). - NM 1226/35. H3507/36 15.7.36 DRIFT SWEEP 24.6.36 IN 504055N, 003510W. FOUL AT 60FT, 48FT AND TOUCHED MOMENTARILY AT 44FT, CLEAR AT 44FT. (HMS FLINDERS, 1.7.36). BR STD. H3739/57 13.9.57 SALVAGE WORK COMMENCED 28.6.57. SALVAGE WORK STOPPED 26.8.57. (GREY & THOMPSON LTRS 28.6.57 & 26.8.57). NCA. H1270/72 29.8.72 POSN AS CHARTED, FROM DECCA PLOT. LIES NW/SE. POOP DECK & STERN INTACT, REMAINDER OF WK COLLAPSED. MAXIMUM HEIGHT 25FT AT STEM. (MR DILLINGHAM, 13.6.72). H4822/75 23.3.77 EXAM'D 9.9.76 IN 504055N, 003510W [OGB] USING HIFIX [2 LOP]. SWEPT CLEAR 13.0, FOUL 14.0MTRS. WK LYING 350/170DEGS ABOUT 170MTRS LONG, BEAM 50MTRS. REPORTED BY MR DILLINGHAM, SUBSERVS TO BE CARRYING BOMBS. HIGHEST POINT BEING THE PEAK OF A DAVIT NEAR THE STERN. (FSL WATERWITCH HI 73/76). NCA. H1310/80 6.11.80 DIVED ON 7.9.80. TOP OF WK STANDS 8-9MTRS OFF SEABED OF FINE TO COARSE SAND WITH SHELLS. GEN DEPTH 22MTRS. AT LEAST 6 BOMBS SIGHTED ON DECK AMONGST WIRES & DEBRIS. PHOTOGRAPHS SUPPLIED. WK DESCRIBED AS POPULAR SITE FOR SUB AQUA DIVERS. (J R DALE, 2.11.80). FLEET CDT, HMS VERNON INFORMED. HH091/002/01 19.11.02 EXAM'D 10.9.02 IN 5040.925N, 0035.230W [WGD] USING DGPS. SWEPT CLEAR 14.1, FOUL 14.4MTRS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 16.4 IN GEN DEPTH 21MTRS. NO SCOUR. LENGTH 120MTRS, WIDTH 40MTRS. DCS3 HT 4MTRS. LIES 000/180 DEGS. STRONG MAGNETIC ANOMALY. WELL DEFINED BUT BROKEN. (NP 1016, HI 1002). AMEND TO SW 14.1MTRS. BR STD. SEP 2018/000198963 13.08.18 EXAM'D 06.02.18; IN 5040.931N, 0035.224W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 13.91MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 21MTRS, LENGTH 138MTRS, WIDTH 34MTRS, HEIGHT 7.1MTRS, ORIENTATION 165/345 DEGS. SALVAGE OPERATIONS ARE PRESUMED TO HAVE LEFT THE TWO MAIN BOILERS, (20068), APPROXIMATELY 200MTRS TO THE E. THE WRECK IS BROKEN UP, WITH VERTICAL POLE-LIKE STRUCTURES JUST S OF MIDSHIPS. THE TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE &A SMALL AUXILLIARY BOILER ARE IDENTIFIABLE. THE BOW IS LIKELY TO BE THE S END, DUE TO THE FORM OF THE REMAINING STRUCTURE &THE LOCATION OF THE ENGINE &BOILER. DEBRIS IS STREWN TO BOTH SIDES. (MMT, HI 1498). AMEND DW 13.9MTRS IN REVISED POSN.
Last Amended Date Aug 13, 2018

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1901 BY A J INGLIS, PAINTHOUSE, GLASGOW. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY BRITISH INDIA SS NAVIGATION CO. TWO BOILERS, TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE OF 387HP, SINGLE SHAFT. PASSAGE LONDON FOR BOMBAY. GENERAL CARGO, INCLUDING WINE, MARMALADE, VEHICLE SPARES, BINOCULARS, TELESCOPES, SOME IVORY, MUNITIONS AND THOUSANDS OF DETONATING CAPS. PROBABLY TORPEDOED BY UB-57. TEN MEN LOST.

General Comments

BROKEN UP, ENGINE AND SMALL AUXILLIARY BOILER IDENTIFIABLE, BOW PROBABLY S. TWO BOILERS LISTED AS 20068 240 METRES ENE ARE THOUGHT TO BE LINKED.

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 40.931 N,0 35.224 W
Shirala on Wreck Map Shirala Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the SHIRALA wreck located?

The SHIRALA wreck is located at coordinates 50 40.931 N,0 35.224 W.

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

The SHIRALA lies at a depth of about 13.91 meters and is located at coordinates 50 40.931 N,0 35.224 W.

How deep is the seabed around the SHIRALA?

The seabed around the SHIRALA lies at approximately 21 meters deep.

When did the SHIRALA sink?

The SHIRALA sank on Jul 2, 1918.

When was the wreck of the SHIRALA discovered?

The wreck of the SHIRALA was discovered in 1918.

What country did the SHIRALA belong to?

The SHIRALA belonged to GB.

What cargo was the SHIRALA carrying?

The SHIRALA was carrying armament,general and mixed goods,animals (land & sea) and birds,wine.

What was the tonnage of the SHIRALA?

The SHIRALA had a tonnage of 5306 tons.

What type of wreck is the SHIRALA?

The SHIRALA is classified as a steam ship.

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