Algiers Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Algiers Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 34.59 N,0 38.212 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.576500
  • Longitude: -0.636867
Wreck Depth 27.22 m
Water Depth 37 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name ALGIERS
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Length 91.4 m
Width 11.3 m
Draught 8.2
Sonar Length 112
Sonar Width 15
Shadow Height 11.1
Orientation 120
Tonnage 2361
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo armament
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Feb 26, 1917
Bottom Texture 4,6
Scour Dimensions 500.0,,006.0,090.0
Original Detection Year 1924
Last Detection Year 2018
Original Source national HO/authority notice to mariners
Last Amended Date Aug 10, 2018

Simplified Wreck Survey

The shipwreck Algiers is an intact and upright historical underwater wreck located in the English Channel off the south coast of England, with precise modern coordinates at 50 34.59 N, 0 38.212 W. Originally sinking around 1924, this substantial marine obstruction has been extensively surveyed and dived over the decades, confirming its identity and structural condition. Modern multibeam sonar surveys record the Algiers measuring approximately 112 meters in long, 15 meters wide, and standing 11.1 meters high off the seabed in a general surrounding depth of 37 meters. The vessel sits upright oriented on a 120/300 degree heading, featuring a hull with no remaining superstructure, a broken southeastern bow section, and notable scour trenches up to 6 meters deep surrounding the site. Historically associated with carrying military cargo including 1916 and 1917 artillery shell cases, the Algiers remains a notable charted dangerous wreck and underwater diving site in UK waters.

Surveying Details

H8158/24 5.12.24 SUNK IN 503521N, 003730W OR 129DEGS 2.9M FROM OWERS LTV IN 21FMS. (TH NM 11/24, LL, 1.12.24 & ADMIRAL PORTSMOUTH, 2.12.24). CHART AS DW (1924), MARKED BY GREEN CONL BUOY. - NM 1937/24. H2977/25 6.5.25 LEAST DEPTH 66FT LWST. (TRINITY HOUSE 4.5.25). AMEND TO WK 11FMS. DELETE BUOY. - NM 710/25. H4238/34 13.8.34 AMEND POSN TO 503433N, 003810W OR 145DEGS, 3.18M FROM OWERS LT VESSEL. (AUTHORITY NOT KNOWN). - NM 1345/34. H4283/34 13.11.59 LOCATED IN 503433N, 003610W. SWEPT CLEAR AT 11FMS, FOUL AT 11.5FMS. (HMS FLINDERS 22.6.34). 23.7.71 AMEND TO SW 20.1MTRS. NC 1652. 7.4.72 AMEND TO SW 19.5MTRS. [LAT]. NC 1652. H4613/73 18.12.73 IDENTIFIED AS 'ALGIERS'. PURCHASED AND SALVAGE IN HAND. (R TODD, OCT 1973). H1284/75 19.6.75 LIES IN 503433N, 003810W OR 3 M S OF OWERS LTV. VESSEL SITTING UPRIGHT E/W. STANDS 30FT HIGH. SALVAGE IS TAKING PLACE AT PRESENT. IDENTIFIED AS 'ALGIERS'. (R J TODD, SPITHEAD SALVAGE CO, MAY 1975). H1287/75 27.8.75 THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN IN BALLAST AT TIME OF LOSS BUT MR R J TODD, OF SPITHEAD MARINE SALVAGE LTD, HAS LOCATED AN ESTIMATED 100TONS OF ARMY SHELLS (18 POUNDER DTD 1916 & 1917) IN THE WRECK. OFFER MADE TO DCN(S), BATH TO SALVAGE THE SHELLS. (N/CP55225/75). H4121/76 13.1.77 LOCATED 19.8.76 IN 503434N, 003809W [OGB] USING HIFIX [2 LOP]. LEAST E/S DEPTH 27.2MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 36MTRS. SCOUR 1MTR. DCS3 HT 10.9MTRS, LENGTH 86MTRS. ORIENTATION 100/280DEGS. WK LYING UPRIGHT TO SE OF AN AREA OF SAND RIPPLES. (HMS FOX, HI 52/76). AMEND TO WK 25MTRS. NC 2450. H1310/83 17.3.83 REQUEST FOR CARGO SALVAGE CONTRACT MADE BY MR A RIGGALL. (TREASURY SOLICITOR, 18.2.83). 15.2.85 REPORT FROM MR MACDONALD, STATES NAVAL DIVERS REMOVING LIVE AMMUNITION FROM THIS WK, WHICH THEY CLAIM TO BE THE 'BASIL' [SEE [19943] IN 503459N, 004052]. (TELECON MACDONALD/LANG 15.2.85). 1.10.86 THIS IS DEFINITELY WK OF 'BASIL'. SHELL CASES DATED 1917 FOUND. (A RIGALL, TELECON). SALVAGE COMMENCING 9.10.86. LIVE SHELLS WILL NOT BE REMOVED. NCA. HH091/002/01 29.10.02 EXAM'D 14.7.02 IN 5034.586N, 0038.209W [WGD] USING DGPS. SWEPT CLEAR 27.7, FOUL 27.9MTRS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 27.8 IN GEN DEPTH 36MTRS. SCOUR 2MTRS DEEP ALONG BOTH SIDES OF WK. LENGTH 60MTRS, WIDTH 20MTRS. DCS3 HT 5.0MTRS. LIES 160/340 DEGS. STRONG MAGNETIC ANOMALY. WELL DEFINED WK. (NP 1016, HI 1016). INTACT. AMEND TO SW 27.5MTRS. BR STD. SEP 2018/000198963 10.08.18 EXAM'D 07.02.18; IN 5034.590N, 0038.212W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 27.22MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 37MTRS, LENGTH 112MTRS, WIDTH 15MTRS, HEIGHT 11.1MTRS, ORIENTATION 120/300 DEGS. SCOUR, (AT N &S ENDS), LENGTH OF BOTH ABOUT 500MTRS, 6MTRS DEEP TOWARDS 090 DEGS. SITS UPRIGHT, CONSISTING OF THE HULL WITH NO SUPER-STRUCTURE PRESENT. SE END IS BROKEN UP & PRESUMED TO BE THE BOW. (MMT, HI 1498). AMEND DW 27MTRS IN REVISED POSN.

Circumstances of loss

EX-LYS, EX-CASTLE EDEN. BUILT IN 1882 BY WIGHAM RICHARDSON & CO, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE. OWNED AT THE TIME OF LOSS BY FRANCO-BRITISH SS CO LTD. TWO BOILERS, TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE OF 220HP, SINGLE SHAFT. PASSAGE CALAIS FOR BARRY ROADS. CARGO INCLUDED A QUANITY OF 18PDR EXPLOSIVE SHELLS. TORPEDOED BY U-65. EIGHT MEN LOST.

General Comments

SITS UPRIGHT, HULL WITHOUT SUPERSTRUCTURE, SE END PRESUMED TO BE BOW BROKEN UP. E-W ORIENTATED SCOURS FROM N AND S ENDS.

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 34.59 N,0 38.212 W
Algiers on Wreck Map Algiers Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the ALGIERS wreck located?

The ALGIERS wreck is located at coordinates 50 34.59 N,0 38.212 W.

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

The ALGIERS lies at a depth of about 27.22 meters and is located at coordinates 50 34.59 N,0 38.212 W.

How deep is the seabed around the ALGIERS?

The seabed around the ALGIERS lies at approximately 37 meters deep.

When did the ALGIERS sink?

The ALGIERS sank on Feb 26, 1917.

When was the wreck of the ALGIERS discovered?

The wreck of the ALGIERS was discovered in 1924.

What country did the ALGIERS belong to?

The ALGIERS belonged to GB.

What cargo was the ALGIERS carrying?

The ALGIERS was carrying armament.

What was the tonnage of the ALGIERS?

The ALGIERS had a tonnage of 2361 tons.

What type of wreck is the ALGIERS?

The ALGIERS is classified as a steam ship.

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