Ballarat Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Ballarat Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		49 50.82 N,5 16.654 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 49.847000
  • Longitude: -5.277567
Wreck Depth 73 m
Water Depth 82 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name BALLARAT
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Length 152.4 m
Width 19.2 m
Draught 11.6
Sonar Length 156
Sonar Width 35
Shadow Height 9
Orientation 40
Tonnage 11120
Cargo non-ferrous elements and ores: unrefined and refined,metal: concentrate and products,general and mixed goods
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Apr 25, 1917
Bottom Texture Sand
Original Detection Year 1945
Last Detection Year 2005
Original Source naval vessel
Surveying Details H0113/45 25.3.45 SONAR CONTACT IN 495100N 051618W. LENGTH 320FT, HEIGHT 60FT. LIES 129/309DEGS. (PLYMOUTH LIST, 25.3.45 & 4.7.45). 29.12.44 GOOD SONAR CONTACT, GOOD POSITION IN 495100N 051630W. LENGTH 320FT, HEIGHT 60FT. LIES 129/309DEGS. (ESCORT GROUP 9, 29.12.44 & 25.1.45). H2137/54 22.4.54 WK LOCATED MAY 1954 IN 495100N, 051700W OR 202DEGS, 7.2M FROM LIZARD HEAD. LEAST E/S DEPTH 46FMS. HEIGHT ABOVE SEABED 51FT. (RISDON BEAZLEY, 23.5.54). INS AS NDW. NC 777. H2137/54 24.3.55 BUOYS ESTABLISHED IN 495100N, 051700W FOR SALVAGE PURPOSES. (NAVEAM, 24.3.55). H4551/76 15.10.76 AMEND TO USC 55MTRS. BR STD. H4551/76 18.10.76 'BALLARAT' REPD 202DEGS 7.2M FROM LIZARD HEAD. 44FT HIGH. (RISDON BEAZLEY, 17.9.76 & 15.10.76). AMEND TO WK 68MTRS IN 495053N, 051618W. BR STD. 29.3.85 CONFIRMED AS WRECK OF 'BALLARAT'. BELL RECOVERED. SALVAGE OF LEAD & COPPER INGOTS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY MV DRIVER PROTECTOR. WK REPORTED PREVIOUSLY HEAVILY SALVAGED. MUNITIONS REPORTED IN MIDSHIP SECTION. (RECEIVER OF WRECK, FALMOUTH). 12.4.05 EXAM'D 15.9.04 IN 4950.820N, 0516.654W [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST M/B DEPTH 73.9 IN GEN DEPTH 82.9MTRS. NO SCOUR. LENGTH 156MTRS, WIDTH 35MTRS, HT 9.0MTRS. LIES 040/220 DEGS. STRONG MAGNETIC ANOMALY. DEBRIS EXTENDS 70MTRS EITHER SIDE. INTACT, DEGRADED. (GARDLINE, HI 1059). INTACT, UPRIGHT WITH SALVAGE DEBRIS CLOSE BY. AMEND WK 73MTRS. BR STD. HH100/351/22 16.6.05 BOW BROKEN OFF AFT OF FOCSLE. THEN BREAKS DOWN TO SEABED IN AREA OF OBVIOUS SALVAGE. WK LIES OVER TO PORT SIDE. MIDSHIPS INTACT ALTHOUGH SUPERSTRUCTURE BROKEN DOWN. TEAK DECKS OBVIOUS. DESPITE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WK REMAINS OBVIOUS AND INTACT IN SECTIONS. (L BISHOP). NCA.
Last Amended Date Apr 13, 2005

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1911 BY CAIRD & CO, GREENOCK. OWNED AT THE TIME OF LOSS BY PENINSULAR & ORIENTAL STEAM NAVIGATION CO. TWIN QUADRUPLE EXPANSION ENGINES OF 1200 NHP. PASSAGE MELBOURNE FOR LONDON. TORPEDOED BY UB-32 WHEN 24M S BY W FROM WOLF ROCK. GENERAL CARGO INCLUDING COPPER, ANTIMONY ORE AND BULLION. 1750 PERSONS ON BOARD, NO LIVES LOST. (LL WW1, WW1SL, DODS & SIBI).

General Comments

INTACT, SALVAGE DEBRIS TO BOTH SIDES, BOWS NE

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 49 50.82 N,5 16.654 W
Ballarat on Wreck Map Ballarat Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the BALLARAT wreck located?

The BALLARAT wreck is located at coordinates 49 50.82 N,5 16.654 W.

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

The BALLARAT lies at a depth of about 73 meters and is located at coordinates 49 50.82 N,5 16.654 W.

How deep is the seabed around the BALLARAT?

The seabed around the BALLARAT lies at approximately 82 meters deep.

When did the BALLARAT sink?

The BALLARAT sank on Apr 25, 1917.

When was the wreck of the BALLARAT discovered?

The wreck of the BALLARAT was discovered in 1945.

What country did the BALLARAT belong to?

The BALLARAT belonged to GB.

What cargo was the BALLARAT carrying?

The BALLARAT was carrying non-ferrous elements and ores: unrefined and refined,metal: concentrate and products,general and mixed goods.

What was the tonnage of the BALLARAT?

The BALLARAT had a tonnage of 11120 tons.

What type of wreck is the BALLARAT?

The BALLARAT is classified as a steam ship.

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