Ballista Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category wreck showing any portion of hull or superstructure
Status lifted
Ballista Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		56 30.156 N,5 42.049 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 56.502600
  • Longitude: -5.700817
Water Depth 6 m
Water Level Effect covers and uncovers
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name BALLISTA
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Orientation 22
Tonnage 200
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo coal
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Feb 6, 1973
Bottom Texture Rock
Original Detection Year 1973
Last Detection Year 1990
Original Source national coast guard or patrol
Surveying Details H2894/72 7.2.73 REPD SUNK AT BARONY PT, SOUTHERN TIP MORVEN, ENTRANCE TO SOUND OF MULL. NOT CONSIDERED DANGER TO SHIPPING. DETAILS NOT CONFIRMED. (CRHQ, SOUTHEND, TLX 6.2.73). H3954/70 19.11.73 STATED TO LIE WITHIN 20YDS OF HISTORIC WK OF HMS DARTMOUTH IN 563012N, 054155W [OGB]. ON NW SIDE OF EILEAN RUBHA AN RIDIRE. HIGH AND DRY WITH BOWS INSHORE. (BRITISH UNDERSEA ARCHAEOLOGY GROUP, 27.9.73). H2894/72 7.12.73 INS ST IN 563011.5N, 054155W. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED). BR STD. H5249/73 14.1.74 POSN 563010N, 054159W [OGB] USING HSA. STRANDED WITH BOWS NNE ON SW CORNER OF EILEAN RUBHA AN RIDIRE. SMALL AMMUNITION SHIP. FOREMAST VISIBLE AT ABOUT 15DEG OUT OF VERTICAL. WK BEING WORKED ON. (NAVAL BOAT PARTY 5640(M), HI 46/73). AMEND POSN. BR STD. H5249/73 13.6.74 STRANDED WK, PROBABLY A CLYDE PUFFER, OBSERVED IN 563010N, 054158W [OGB], ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN WRECKED WITHIN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. MAST & FUNNEL VISIBLE AT HW. (HMS HECLA, HN DTD 1.6.74). INS AS ST. - NM 1210/74. H5249/76 10.6.82 MAST MARKS ITS POSN EFFECTIVELY. MOST OF HER SUPERSTRUCTURE VISIBLE AT LOW WATER. (DIVER, 1982). 6.12.82 DESCRIBED AS A PUFFER. REPORTED AS INTACT, LYING UPRIGHT, ON TOP OF 2 OTHER WKS, ONE A STEEL DRIFTER, 80FT LONG. THIS IS POSSIBLY THE ARDFERN, WHICH SANK 1950. THE LOWEST WK IS AN 80FT IRON VESSEL. RIBS OF A FURTHER IRON WK LIES CLOSE TO NE. (BSAC WK REGISTER). HH272/350/01 3.7.90 WK HAS BEEN REMOVED. (HMS GLOUCESTER, HN 22.6.90). NCA YET. HH272/490/02 22.11.96 WK NOT OBSERVED. (HMS SOMERSET, HN 1/96). PREDICTED TIDAL HT AT TIME OF OBSERVATION WAS 3.3MTRS. NCA. 15.3.07 [EUT] POSN: 5630.156N, 0542.049W. NE 2390.
Last Amended Date Jan 12, 2009

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1939 BY W J YARWOOD & SONS OF NORTHWICH, CHESHIRE. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY THE ELLIOT DIVING CO. ONE BOILER, COMPOUND EXPANSION ENGINE, SINGLE SHAFT. FOUNDERED OVER THE VESSEL SHE WAS SALVAGING DURING HEAVY WEATHER AFTER STERN MOORING PARTED. CREW OF 3 RECOVERED. (ARGYLL SHIPWRECKS, SHIPWRECKS OF THE W OFSCOTLAND, SIBI).

General Comments

PUFFER

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 56 30.156 N,5 42.049 W
Ballista on Wreck Map Ballista Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the BALLISTA wreck located?

The BALLISTA wreck is located at coordinates 56 30.156 N,5 42.049 W.

How deep is the seabed around the BALLISTA?

The seabed around the BALLISTA lies at approximately 6 meters deep.

When did the BALLISTA sink?

The BALLISTA sank on Feb 6, 1973.

When was the wreck of the BALLISTA discovered?

The wreck of the BALLISTA was discovered in 1973.

What country did the BALLISTA belong to?

The BALLISTA belonged to GB.

What cargo was the BALLISTA carrying?

The BALLISTA was carrying coal.

What was the tonnage of the BALLISTA?

The BALLISTA had a tonnage of 200 tons.

What type of wreck is the BALLISTA?

The BALLISTA is classified as a steam ship.

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