Waitara Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Waitara Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 14.547 N,1 54.408 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.242450
  • Longitude: -1.906800
Wreck Depth 49 m
Water Depth 53 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name WAITARA
Type sailing vessel
Flag NZ
Length 58.3 m
Width 9.6 m
Draught 6.4
Sonar Length 60
Sonar Width 16
Shadow Height 3
Orientation 130
Tonnage 883
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo general and mixed goods
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jul 22, 1883
Bottom Texture Sand
Scour Dimensions ,,001.4,
Original Detection Year 1955
Last Detection Year 1996
Original Source survey vessel
Last Amended Date Sep 29, 1999

Surveying Details

H6887/55 19.12.55 H6887/55 19.12.55 WK LOCATED IN 501432N, 015414W [OGB]. LEAST E/S DEPTH 28 IN GEN DEPTH 31FMS. SCOUR DEPTH 32FMS. SEABED SAND AND SHELL. (HMS SCOTT, 30.9.55). BR STD. 11.8.77 11.8.77 AMEND TO WK 51MTRS. NC 2450. HH090/588/01 3.11.93 HH090/588/01 3.11.93 EXAM'D 1.7.93 IN 501432.8N, 015424.5W [WGD] USING PORTLAND HYPERFIX. LEAST E/S DEPTH 49.2 IN GEN DEPTH 52.5MTRS. SCOUR 1.4MTRS DEEP. DCS3 HT 3.0MTRS, LENGTH 60MTRS, BREADTH 16MTRS. INTACT, UPRIGHT WK LYING 130/310 DEGS. GOOD MAGNETOMETER RESPONSE. (NP 1008, HI 588). AMEND TO WK 49MTRS IN REVISED POSN. BR STD. HH100/351/15 29.9.99 HH100/351/15 29.9.99 DIVED IN 1996. CONFIRMED AS THE IRON SAILING BARQUE 'WAITARA' BY THE RECOVERY OF THE BELL. HULL IS LARGELY INTACT WITH A DEEP SCOUR UNDER THE BOWS. VIRTUALLY UPRIGHT. STERN IS MUCH LOWER TO THE SEABED AND IS COVERED IN LOST TRAWLS. SOME OF THE GENERAL CARGO (MOSTLY CERAMICS) HAS SPILLED ONTO THE SEABED ON THE STARBOARD SIDE. WK STANDS ABOUT 5MTRS HIGH. COMMERCIAL GUARD REQUESTED. (D C WENDES). NCA. 8.6.06 8.6.06 COMMERCIAL GUARD DELETED. (D C WENDES) NCA.

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1863 BY J REID & CO. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY THE NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING CO. PASSAGE GRAVESEND FOR WELLINGTON WITH 16 PASSENGERS AND 25 CREW. SANK AFTER COLLISION WITH SV 'HURUNUI', WHICH WAS OWNED BY THE SAME COMPANY AND HAD LEFT GRAVESEND THE SAME DAY. NO BOATS COULD BE LOWERED DUE TO THE SPEED OF THE SINKING. CAPTAIN WEBSTER, 10 CREW AND 4 PASSENGERS SAVED. (DODS).

General Comments

IRON HULL, UPRIGHT & INTACT

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 14.547 N,1 54.408 W
Waitara on Wreck Map Waitara Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the WAITARA wreck located?

The WAITARA wreck is located at coordinates 50 14.547 N,1 54.408 W.

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

The WAITARA lies at a depth of about 49 meters and is located at coordinates 50 14.547 N,1 54.408 W.

How deep is the seabed around the WAITARA?

The seabed around the WAITARA lies at approximately 53 meters deep.

When did the WAITARA sink?

The WAITARA sank on Jul 22, 1883.

When was the wreck of the WAITARA discovered?

The wreck of the WAITARA was discovered in 1955.

What country did the WAITARA belong to?

The WAITARA belonged to NZ.

What cargo was the WAITARA carrying?

The WAITARA was carrying general and mixed goods.

What was the tonnage of the WAITARA?

The WAITARA had a tonnage of 883 tons.

What type of wreck is the WAITARA?

The WAITARA is classified as a sailing vessel.

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