Basil-2 Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Basil-2 Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 35.026 N,0 40.986 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.583767
  • Longitude: -0.683100
Wreck Depth 19 m
Water Depth 25 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name BASIL-2
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Length 103 m
Width 13.4 m
Draught 7.9
Sonar Length 71
Sonar Width 23
Shadow Height 6.5
Orientation 42
Tonnage 3223
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo armament
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Nov 11, 1917
Bottom Texture Gravel
Scour Dimensions 030.0,,001.5,045.0
Original Detection Year 1961
Last Detection Year 2018
Original Source naval vessel
Last Amended Date Aug 10, 2018

Simplified Wreck Survey

The shipwreck named BASIL-2 is located in the English Channel, southeast of the Owers Light, at coordinates 50 35.026 N, 0 40.986 W. Originally discovered as an asdic contact in 1961 by HMS Dalrymple, the wreck has been extensively surveyed and examined over the decades by vessels including HMS Fox and HMS Bulldog. Measuring approximately 65 to 71 meters long, 23 to 30 meters wide, and standing up to 6.5 meters high with a general seabed depth of 25 meters, the least depth over the wreck is 19 meters. Historical surveys describe the vessel as a 1917 or 1918 type armed cargo ship carrying ammunition, featuring a triple expansion engine, boilers, and shell-stacked holds. Over time, diving reports have noted that while sections of the hull remain upright and intact with a gun on the stern, other parts are heavily silted, broken up, and subject to local scouring.

Surveying Details

SANK SE OF OWERS LIGHT. H6667/57 28.4.61 GOOD ASDIC CONTACT IN 503545N, 004030W. NEVER INVESTIGATED. (HMS DALRYMPLE, 1958). 7.4.72 NOW CHARTED AS USCPA 18MTRS. NC 1652 & 2045. H2318/74 26.8.75 EXAM'D 1.7.75 IN 503501N, 004055W [OGB] USING HIFIX [2 LOP]. LEAST E/S DEPTH 19.4 IN GEN DEPTH 25MTRS. SCOUR BY 25.6MTRS. (SCES, HI 102/75). - NM BLOCK 980/76. H2979/74 30.11.76 WK LIES NE/SW & IS APPROX 200FT LONG. ENGINES, BOILERS & STERN ARE ALL ABOUT 20FT HIGH. THE WK IS VERY BROKEN UP AND HEAVILY SILTED. (E GILES, SUBSERVS, 13.11.76). H4121/76 13.1.77 EXAM'D 19.8.76 IN 503459N, 004052W [OGB] USING HIFIX [2 LOP]. LEAST E/S DEPTH 19.3MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 25MTRS. DCS3 HT 6MTRS, LENGTH 60MTRS. ORIENTATION 060/240DEGS. WRECK BROKEN UP WITH HIGHEST POINT TOWARDS EASTERN END. (HMS FOX, HI 52/76). AMEND TO WK 19MTRS IN REVISED POSN. - NM 492/77. H2318/74 5.6.79 SWEPT CLEAR AT 18.9MTRS, FOUL AT 19.7MTRS IN 503500N, 004252W. (HMS BULLDOG, HI 37B/77). - NM 1491/79. H4121/76 16.9.81 HULL INTACT AND UPRIGHT, LYING NE/SW, STERN NE. BOWS BROKEN FORWARD OF NO.1 HOLD AND LIES WITH 45DEG LIST TO PORT. IDENTIFIED AS THE BASIL FROM CARGO OF AMMUNITION, DATED 1917, AND WHICH IS WELL EXPOSED IN INTACT HOLDS EITHER SIDE OF AMIDSHIPS BRIDGE AREA. GUN ON STERN. (J SALISBURY 1.7.81 & 1.9.81, IN H1310/81/22). 22.7.82 SALVAGE CONTRACT FOR CARGO AWARDED BY SALVAGE ASSOCIATION TO P R EUROSALVE, WHO SUB-CONTRACTED TO SMITH MARINE (JERSEY) LTD. (PALMER, TREASURY SOLICITORS OFFICE, TELECON 22.7.82). 22.7.86 MR RIGGALL AWARDED CROWN CONTRACTS TO SALVAGE 'BASIL'. (TH TELECON 22.7.86). [SEE ALSO [19935] IN 503434N, 003809W]. HH100/351/08 16.2.94 'BASIL' REPORTED IN 503501N, 004105.5W. (J WELCH, WK LIST). NCA. 5.8.98 WK LIES UPRIGHT IN 38MTRS. HULL REASONABLY INTACT. FORWARD OF SUPERSTRUCTURE IS A HOLD STACKED WITH SHELLS. (DIVER MAGAZINE, AUG 1998). HH091/003/01 30.9.03 EXAM'D 12.6.03 IN 5035.027N, 0040.988W [WGD] USING DGPS. SWEPT CLEAR 18.9, FOUL 19.2MTRS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 18.9 IN GEN DEPTH 25MTRS. SCOUR 0.7MTRS. LENGTH 65MTRS, WIDTH 30MTRS. DCS3 HT 5.3MTRS. LIES 020/200 DEGS WITH BOWS TOWARDS 200 DEGS. MODERATE MAGNETIC ANOMALY. UPRIGHT AND INTACT. (NP 1016, HI 1003A). BR STD. HH100/351/21 7.9.05 DIVED IN LISTED POSN. VERY BROKEN AND SILTED. STERN, ENGINE AND BOILERS ARE THE HIGHEST POINTS. CONSIDERED TO BE A 1917/1918 TYPE VESSEL. (P STREET, EMAIL DTD 1.9.05). NCA. SEP 2018/000198963 10.08.18 EXAM'D 07.02.18; IN 5035.026N, 0040.986W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 19MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 25MTRS, LENGTH 71MTRS, WIDTH 23MTRS, HEIGHT 6.5MTRS, ORIENTATION 042/222 DEGS. SCOUR LENGTH 30MTRS, 1.5MTRS DEEP TOWARDS 045 DEGS. ONE BOILER AND TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE PRESENT. PARTIAL OUTLINE OF HULL AND SECTIONS OF VESSEL FRAME VISIBLE. (MMT, HI 1498). AMEND DW 19MTRS IN REVISED POSN.

Circumstances of loss

8.8.1917 EX-MOURNE. BUILT IN 1895 BY WORKMAN CLARKE & CO LTD, BELFAST FOR THOMAS DIXON & SONS LTD, BELFAST. SOLD IN 1898 TO THE BOOTH SS CO AND RENAMED BASIL-2, BEING THE SECOND SHIP IN THE FLEET TO BEAR THAT NAME. THREE BOILERS, TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE OF 334NHP, SINGLE SHAFT. REQUISITIONED FROM 8.8.1917 AS EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TRANSPORT NO 0608. PASSAGE SOUTHAMPTON FOR BOULOGNE. SANK FOLLOWING COLLISION WITH FRENCH SS MARGAUX, WHILE STEAMING UNESCORTED AND WITHOUT LIGHTS, BEFORE BOATS COULD BE LAUNCHED. 14 MEN LOST. (SIBI).

General Comments

UPRIGHT, BOWS SW, WELL BROKEN & SILTED. SMALL SCOUR AT NE END.

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 35.026 N,0 40.986 W
Basil-2 on Wreck Map Basil-2 Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the BASIL-2 wreck located?

The BASIL-2 wreck is located at coordinates 50 35.026 N,0 40.986 W.

How deep is the BASIL-2 and where exactly is it located?

The BASIL-2 lies at a depth of about 19 meters and is located at coordinates 50 35.026 N,0 40.986 W.

How deep is the seabed around the BASIL-2?

The seabed around the BASIL-2 lies at approximately 25 meters deep.

When did the BASIL-2 sink?

The BASIL-2 sank on Nov 11, 1917.

When was the wreck of the BASIL-2 discovered?

The wreck of the BASIL-2 was discovered in 1961.

What country did the BASIL-2 belong to?

The BASIL-2 belonged to GB.

What cargo was the BASIL-2 carrying?

The BASIL-2 was carrying armament.

What was the tonnage of the BASIL-2?

The BASIL-2 had a tonnage of 3223 tons.

What type of wreck is the BASIL-2?

The BASIL-2 is classified as a steam ship.

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