The SS Thistlegorm is a shipwreck that lies at the bottom of the Red Sea, near the Egyptian coast. It is one of the most popular diving sites in the world, attracting thousands of visitors every year. But what is the story behind this sunken vessel, and what secrets does it hold?
The SS Thistlegorm was built in 1940 in Sunderland, England, by Joseph Thompson & Son. It was a cargo ship that belonged to the Albyn Line, and its name meant “Blue Thistle” in Gaelic. The ship was 126 meters long and had a tonnage of 4,898 GRT. It was powered by a three-cylinder triple-expansion engine that could reach a speed of 10 knots. The ship was also equipped with a 4.7 inch anti-aircraft gun and a heavy-calibre machine gun for defense.
The ship’s mission was to transport military supplies to the British forces in Egypt, who were fighting against the Axis powers in World War II. The cargo included trucks, motorcycles, tanks, rifles, ammunition, aircraft parts, railway wagons, and even two steam locomotives. The ship left Glasgow on June 2, 1941, and joined a convoy of 16 ships that sailed around South Africa to avoid the Mediterranean Sea, where German submarines and planes were active. The voyage took more than three months and covered 12,000 miles.
On September 30, 1941, the convoy reached the Gulf of Suez and waited for clearance to enter the Suez Canal. The SS Thistlegorm anchored at Sha’ab Ali, a reef near Ras Muhammad National Park. The ship was supposed to stay there for only a few days, but due to a delay caused by a tanker that had hit a mine in the canal, it remained there for almost two weeks.
On October 6, 1941, at around 1:30 am, two German Heinkel He 111 bombers spotted the SS Thistlegorm and attacked it. They had been looking for a troop carrier that was reported to be in the area, but they failed to find it and decided to target the anchored ships instead. They dropped two bombs on the SS Thistlegorm, one of which hit the fourth hold, where most of the ammunition was stored. The explosion was massive and ripped apart the ship’s stern and midsection. The fire spread quickly and ignited more explosives. The ship sank in less than 10 minutes, taking with it nine crew members and four naval personnel who were on board. The rest of the crew were rescued by HMS Carlisle, a light cruiser that was nearby. The captain of the SS Thistlegorm, William Ellis, was awarded an OBE for his bravery and leadership during the attack. One sailor also received medals for saving another from drowning. The wreck became a designated war grave and was forgotten for many years.
The SS Thistlegorm was rediscovered in 1956 by Jacques Cousteau, the famous French explorer and marine conservationist. He visited the wreck with his team and filmed some of its contents for his documentary “The Silent World”. He also salvaged some items from the wreck, such as a motorcycle and a safe. He did not reveal the exact location of the wreck to protect it from looters, but he published some photos and stories about it in National Geographic magazine in 1956.
It was not until the 1990s that the SS Thistlegorm became widely known and accessible to divers, thanks to the development of Sharm-el-Sheikh as a tourist destination. The wreck is now one of the most visited dive sites in the world, attracting divers of all levels and backgrounds. The wreck lies at a depth of between 15 and 30 meters, depending on the tide. It is about 200 meters long and 50 meters wide. The bow and midships are upright, while the stern is detached and twisted 90 degrees to starboard. The wreck is covered with coral and marine life, such as tuna, barracuda, lionfish, moray eels, batfish, stonefish, crocodilefish, turtles, and sometimes even dolphins or sharks.
The main attraction of the SS Thistlegorm is its cargo, which is still intact and visible inside the holds and on the decks. Divers can see trucks, motorcycles, tanks, guns, boots, radios, planes, and trains among other things. Some of these items are rare or unique examples of their kind, such as the Norton 16H motorcycles or the LMS Stanier Class 8F locomotives. The cargo is a fascinating glimpse into the history and technology of the World War II era, as well as a testimony to the bravery and sacrifice of the men who served on the ship.
The SS Thistlegorm is a shipwreck that offers a rich and rewarding diving experience for anyone who loves history, adventure, and mystery. It is a place where the past and the present meet, where the human and the natural coexist, and where the beauty and the tragedy are intertwined. It is a place that deserves respect and preservation, as it is not only a diving site, but also a memorial and a museum.