Liveaboards Thistlegorm
Our liveaboards get to the Thistlegorm early, avoiding the day boat dive trips, to give our liveaboard divers great access on their diving holidays to this incredible wreck. It was sunk by two Japanese bombers during the second world war, and had been ripped apart at the middle by the explosions. Look out for large moral eels and huge batfish! Click here for more...
The Story of the Thistlegrom
The Thistlegorm was launched on the 9th of April 1940. Its name means ‘blue thistle', and it was a British transport ship, 126.5 metres long with the capacity of 4,898 tons (9,009 displacement tons), and had a three cylinder steam engine developing 1,860 HP, that gave the vessel a speed of around 10 knots.
In May 1941, a crew of 39 men left on the Thistlegorm from Glasgow , with a cargo including munitions, bombs, anti-tank mines, Lee Enfield MK II rifles, BSA motorcycles, Morris and Ford trucks, tanks and even two steam locomotives. Two German bombers coming from the German airbase in Crete, sighted the Thistlegorm as it sat in the Strait of Gubal , awaiting the clearance of German mines in the Suez Canal .
They attacked the Thistlegorm. Two bombs hit the fourth hold, where the munitions deposits were situated. The resulting explosion tore the ship in two, whilst catapulting the two 126 ton locomotives, despite being tied to the deck, into the air. The crew and Captain were rescued by the HMS Carlisle, but nine men lost their lives during the attack.
The wreck was discovered by, or course, Jacques Cousteau in 1955, and later appeared in the National Geographic in 1956. Cousteau did not reveal the position of the wreck, and it went forgotten for almost 40 years until 1992 when it was rediscovered by an Israeli skipper.
The Ship Today
The SS Thistlegorm sits mast and funnel above all others shipwrecks. Such is the pulling power of this single vessel that she attracts more Divers than any other underwater site - anywhere in the entire world! Since being re-discovered in the early nineties, the Thistlegorm has consistently remained "The World’s Foremost Diving Attraction" and after my own very first visit, I found myself calling her "The Mighty Thistlegorm!"
What makes this ship so extra-special is a combination of several factors. Despite extensive damage aft of the Bridge, the main section is upright and on an even keel. Then, there is the story of her passing, with all it’s ingredients of War, Heroism and Tragedy - something that is never re-created in any vessel deliberately sunk. Lest we forget, even the Titanic would have passed into obscurity were it not for the manner of her sinking! Then, prevailing conditions and accessibility all come into play. These include an acceptable climate, relatively warm waters, very good underwater visibility and a maximum depth of just 32 metres to the seabed.
What more could be asked of any shipwreck you might ask - and the word "Cargo" springs to mind. Within the Thistlegorm, that cargo is a veritable underwater "World War II Museum."
Acknowledgements must go to Ahlan at Rasmohammed.com nature reserve. Click here for more info.
Come and dive this incredible wreck with us. Call us on 0845 838 5953.
Dive Trips to Thistlegorm
We go on dive trips to the Thistlegorm all the time so come and dive this incredible wreck with us. Call us on 0845 838 5953.
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