Wilhelm Gustloff Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Status historic
Wilhelm gustloff Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		55 7.531 N,17 42.185 E
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 55.125517
  • Longitude: 17.703083
Wreck Depth 27.9 m
Water Depth 44 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Mean Sea Level
Name WILHELM GUSTLOFF
Type merchant vessel
Flag DE
Length 198.1 m
Width 23.5 m
Draught 7.9
Sonar Length 210
Sonar Width 49
Orientation 330
Tonnage 25484
Tonnage Type gross
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jan 30, 1945
Bottom Texture Sand
Scour Dimensions 010.5,086.4,002.8,330
Original Detection Year 1946
Last Detection Year 2024
Original Source national HO/authority notice to mariners
Last Amended Date Dec 20, 2024

Surveying Details

H2815/46 26.8.46 NON DANGEROUS WK IN 550722N, 174150E. (RUSSIAN NM 187/46). INS AS NDW. BR STD. H6721/53 4.2.54 NOW SHOWN AS DW IN 550730N, 174202E ON POLISH 104. AMEND TO DW. BR STD. H4140/59 15.9.59 NOW SHOWN AS DW PA ON POLISH 104. AMEND TO DWPA. H2010/60 12.9.75 LEAST DEPTH OVER WK 23MTRS IN 550736N, 174200E [POL]. (POLISH NM 402/75). AMEND TO WK 23MTRS. BR STD. 9.2.80 STILL SHOWN AS DW ON POLISH 202 [1980 EDN]. NCA, RETAIN AS WK 23MTRS. 10.11.80 SS WILHELM GUSTLOFF. SINKING POSN GIVEN AS 550700N, 174200E. (SEA BREEZES, OCT '80). HH100/351/06 29.10.92 DIVED ON IN 550729N, 174227.5E. LIES ON PORT SIDE WITH BOW W. IDENTIFIED BY NAME ON BOW. TORPEDO DAMAGE OBSERVED ALSO PART OF THE SWIMMING POOL. (J COULON, 14.10.92). NCA. 8.5.97 VESSEL HAS RECENTLY BEEN PLUNDERED BY SPORTS DIVERS. POLISH GOVERNMENT HAS PUT A BAN ON UNAUTHORISED DIVING. (NAUTICAL MAGAZINE 2/97). HH323/450/02 13.4.99 NOW WK PA 23MTRS IN 5507.5N, 1742.2E [WGD]. (POLISH NM 10/180/99). BR STD. HH165/410/03 13.1.05 INS GENERAL LIMIT RADIUS 500MTRS CENTRED ON WK. CAUTION: 'THIS AREA IS THE BURIAL SITE OF SHIPWRECK VICTIMS. ANY ACTIVITY THAT MAY BREAK THE PEACE OF THIS SITE IS PROHIBITED'. (POLISH NM 49/706/04). INS AS CIRCULAR GENERAL LIMIT [5011 N1.2] OF MINIMUM RADIUS TO ENCOMPASS WRECK WITH NOTE: THIS AREA IS THE BURIAL SITE OF SHIPWRECK VICTIMS. ANY ACTIVITY THAT MAY DISTURB THIS SITE IS PROHIBITED'. - NM 760/05. 11.6.21 EXAM'D 24/1/2021; WK LOCATED IN 5507.530N, 1742.185E [WGD]. LEAST MBES DEPTH 28.32MTRS, IN GEN DEPTH 44MTRS. LENGTH 210MTRS, WIDTH 49MTRS, HT 16.26MTRS, ORIENTATION 330 DEGS. (HMS ECHO, H5252.1, DTD 26/5/2021). LARGE WK BROKEN INTO THREE DISTINCT SECTIONS. NFA.

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1937 BY BLOHM AND VOSS. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY DEUTSCHE ARBEITSFRONT. MANAGED BY 'KRAFT DURCH FREUDE' [STRENGTH THROUGH JOY] ORGANISATION. OIL ENGINES OF 2360 NHP. BUILT TO PROVIDE CHEAP HOLIDAYS FOR THE WORKERS. DESIGNED FOR 1456 PASSENGERS, ALL TOURIST CLASS AND 426 CREW. PASSAGE FROM DANZIG WITH 5000 REFUGEES AND 3700 SUBMARINE PERSONNEL ONBOARD, THE PORT BEING THREATENED BY RUSSIAN ARMY. TORPEDOED BY RUSSIAN SUBMARINE S-13, STRUCK BY 3 TORPEDOES AND SANK IN 40 MINUTES. UNOFFICAL ESTIMATES OF UP TO 7500 REFUGEES, WOUNDED SOLDIERS & NAVAL PERSONNEL ONBOARD. ONLY 904 SURVIVORS. CONSIDERED THE WORST MARITIME DISASTER ON RECORD. (DODS, S ROGERS & SEA BREEZES, OCT '80).

General Comments

Broken into three sections

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 55 7.531 N,17 42.185 E
Wilhelm Gustloff on Wreck Map Wilhelm Gustloff Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the WILHELM GUSTLOFF wreck located?

The WILHELM GUSTLOFF wreck is located at coordinates 55 7.531 N,17 42.185 E.

How deep is the WILHELM GUSTLOFF and where exactly is it located?

The WILHELM GUSTLOFF lies at a depth of about 27.9 meters and is located at coordinates 55 7.531 N,17 42.185 E.

How deep is the seabed around the WILHELM GUSTLOFF?

The seabed around the WILHELM GUSTLOFF lies at approximately 44 meters deep.

When did the WILHELM GUSTLOFF sink?

The WILHELM GUSTLOFF sank on Jan 30, 1945.

When was the wreck of the WILHELM GUSTLOFF discovered?

The wreck of the WILHELM GUSTLOFF was discovered in 1946.

What country did the WILHELM GUSTLOFF belong to?

The WILHELM GUSTLOFF belonged to DE.

What was the tonnage of the WILHELM GUSTLOFF?

The WILHELM GUSTLOFF had a tonnage of 25484 tons.

What type of wreck is the WILHELM GUSTLOFF?

The WILHELM GUSTLOFF is classified as a merchant vessel.

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