Witte Leeuw Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category distributed remains of wreck
Witte leeuw Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		15 55.035 S,5 43.22 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: -15.917250
  • Longitude: -5.720333
Wreck Depth 37.27 m
Water Depth 38 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name WITTE LEEUW
Type East Indiaman
Flag NL
Shadow Height 0.4
Orientation 316
Cargo clay products,foodstuffs: solid
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jan 1, 1613
Bottom Texture Sand
Original Detection Year 1978
Last Detection Year 2018
Original Source other
Surveying Details H2793/76 31.10.78 SEVERAL CANNON & MUCH CHINESE PORCELAIN FOUND. (NAT GEOGRAPHIC, DTD OCT 1978). H2793/76 23.3.79 LIES APPROX 800MTRS DUE N OF MUNDEN PT IN DEPTH OF 110FT. WELL COVERED WITH MUD. (GOVERNMENT SECRETARY, ST HELENA ISLAND, DTD 2.2.79). PLOTS IN 155433S, 054310W. H2313/85 25.2.86 NOT FOUND. (HMS HERALD, HI 280). H4745/83 27.1.87 REPORTED BY LOCAL DIVERS TO LIE IN 18FMS, IN 155453S, 054318W APPROX. SHIP'S DIVERS REPORTED WK CONSISTS MAINLY OF BALLAST STONES ON A SANDY BOTTOM. MANY ARTIFACTS HAVE BEEN RECOVERED FOR DISPLAY AT JAMESTOWN MUSEUM. THE SITE IS NO DANGER TO NAVIGATION. (HMS HECATE, HN DTD 25.11.86). NCA. HH100/351/13 8.7.98 LOCATED & DIVED ON 7.4.98 IN 155502S, 054313W [WGD] USING GPS. THIS IS THE POSN OF THE HIGHEST PILE OF BALLAST. LEAST DEPTH BY DIVE COMPUTER 32MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 38MTRS. NO SCOUR. REMAINS ARE SCATTERED & BURIED IN SAND. THERE ARE SOME WOODEN TIMBERS VISIBLE THAT APPEAR TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. THERE ARE ZINC BALLAST PLATES SCATTERED AROUND PLUS BROKEN PIECES OF POTTERY & PEPPERCORNS. THERE ARE FIVE IRON CANNON VISIBLE & THERE WAS ONE BRONZE CANNON, SINCE RAISED & NOW IN JAMESTOWN. (RAF SUB-AQUA ASSOCIATION LETTER, DTD 30.6.98). CHART AS WK 32MTRS. BR STD. 27.11.98 ARTICLE ABOUT RAF SAC RECOVERY OF CANNON WITH PHOTS. (DIVER MAGAZINE DEC 1998). SEP 2018/000280205 11.12.18 EXAM'D 11.12.18; FOUL LOCATED IN 1555.035S, 0543.220W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 37.27MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 37.7MTRS. LENGTH 1.3MTRS, WIDTH 1MTRS, HT 0.4MTRS, ORIENTATION 316 DEGREES. POSSIBLE DEBRIS FROM WITTE LEEUW WRECK.(UKHO SURVEY TEAM, H525 HI1603). AMEND FOUL 37.2MTRS IN REVISED POSN.
Last Amended Date May 23, 2019

Circumstances of loss

VESSEL, SUNK, TOGETHER WITH THE 'BANTAM', BY TWO PORTUGUESE CARRACKS, WHEN FORMING PART OF A CONVOY RETURNING HOME FROM THE EAST. BLOWN UP WHEN MAGAZINE EXPLODED.

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 15 55.035 S,5 43.22 W
Witte Leeuw on Wreck Map Witte Leeuw Wreck on Google Map

More East Indiaman Wrecks:

Nearby Wrecks:

FAQ

Where is the WITTE LEEUW wreck located?

The WITTE LEEUW wreck is located at coordinates 15 55.035 S,5 43.22 W.

How deep is the WITTE LEEUW and where exactly is it located?

The WITTE LEEUW lies at a depth of about 37.27 meters and is located at coordinates 15 55.035 S,5 43.22 W.

How deep is the seabed around the WITTE LEEUW?

The seabed around the WITTE LEEUW lies at approximately 38 meters deep.

When did the WITTE LEEUW sink?

The WITTE LEEUW sank on Jan 1, 1613.

When was the wreck of the WITTE LEEUW discovered?

The wreck of the WITTE LEEUW was discovered in 1978.

What country did the WITTE LEEUW belong to?

The WITTE LEEUW belonged to NL.

What cargo was the WITTE LEEUW carrying?

The WITTE LEEUW was carrying clay products,foodstuffs: solid.

What type of wreck is the WITTE LEEUW?

The WITTE LEEUW is classified as a east indiaman.

Back to Wrecks