Birkenfels Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Birkenfels Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		51 25.352 N,3 28.969 E
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 51.422533
  • Longitude: 3.482817
Wreck Depth 13.1 m
Water Depth 15 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name BIRKENFELS
Type steam ship
Flag DE
Length 131.4 m
Width 17.4 m
Draught 9.1
Tonnage 6322
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo scrap metal
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Dec 18, 1940
Original Detection Year 1942
Last Detection Year 2025
Original Source national HO/authority notice to mariners
Surveying Details H0411/42 13.1.42 DW IN 5125225N, 032902E, MARKED BY G BUOYS N & S. (BERLIN NM). - FNM 180/42. H04430/44 20.12.44 2 MASTS VISIBLE. (ADMIRALTY). - NM 2845/44. H21127/45 22.1.45 NOW CHARTED AS MAST DRYING 20FT. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED). NE 325. H3697/52 23.6.52 SWEEPING TAKING PLACE. (NETH TNM 141/1946). NCA. H3697/52 11.9.52 SHOWN AS DW (MAST) ON NETH 203. NE 325. H1147/54 29.10.54 LEAST DEPTH OVER WK NOW 8MTRS [4FMS 2FT]. (NETH NM 214/3012/54). - NM 2364/54. H3446/60 1.8.62 SHOWN AS SW 8.5MTRS [4FMS 4FT] MARKED BY G CAN BUOY, GPFL(2)G10S ON NETH 1443. - NM1578/62. H3330/49 9.9.63 NOW SWEPT CLEAR AT 10.7MTRS [5FMS 5FT]. (HAGUE NM 2192/63). - NM 1860/63. H1147/54 27.5.65 CLEARANCE OPS IN PROGRESS. (HAGUE NMS 1490 & 2084/65). NCA YET. H3446/60 10.6.66 NOW SWEPT CLEAR AT 9.2MTRS [5FMS]. (HAGUE NM 1495/66). - NM 1114/66 H3330/49 15.10.68 NOW MARKED BY SPHERICAL BUOY, RAREFL. (HMS ARGONAUT HN 3/68). BR STD. H3330/49 10.12.69 CLEARANCE OPS, 4 BUOYS TEMPORARILY ESTABLISHED. (HAGUE TNM 2829/69). NCA. H3330/49 11.9.70 SALVAGE OPS COMPLETE, BUOYS REMOVED. (HAGUE NM 1197/72). NCA. H3330/49 19.5.72 NOW SWEPT CLEAR AT 10.5MTRS [5FMS 4FT]. (HAGUE NM 1197/72). BR STD. H1271/73 15.2.73 CLEARANCE WORK. (HAGUE TNM 292/73) - TNM 483/73. H1271/73 29.10.76 NOW SWEPT CLEAR AT 13.4MTRS [7FMS 2FT], & BUOY REMOVED. (NETH NM 2836/76). - NM 2249/76. H6217/82 1.7.86 DIVING OPS CARRIED OUT ON WK, LEAST DEPTH 17.3MTRS, IN 512526N, 032923E. (NETH NMS 338 & 363/86). NCA YET, COULD REFER TO THIS OR A SEPARATE WK. H6217/82 12.2.87 NOW SWEPT CLEAR AT 13.4MTRS. (NETH NM 55/87). NCA. 29.1.91 SWEPT CLEAR AT 13.4MTRS, IN 512524.1N, 032902.9E [EUR]. (NETH WK RECORDS - SEP'90 EDN - NO.S11 1483). BR STD.POSITIONS BELOW THIS POINT ARE IN DEGREES, MINUTES AND DECIMALS OF A MINUTE 8.2.07 SHOWN IN 5125.36N, 0328.95E [WGD] ON BELGIAN 101 [INT 1474] [JUN 2006 EDN LARGEST SCALE ADOPTION]. NE 1874. 23.5.11 SHOWN AS SW 13.1MTRS [LAT] IN 5125.352N, 0328.968E [WGD] ON NL400116 [EDN 14.14].
Last Amended Date Sep 29, 2025

Circumstances of loss

TORPEDOED AND SUNK BY BRITISH SUBMARINE. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED).

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 51 25.352 N,3 28.969 E
Birkenfels on Wreck Map Birkenfels Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the BIRKENFELS wreck located?

The BIRKENFELS wreck is located at coordinates 51 25.352 N,3 28.969 E.

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

The BIRKENFELS lies at a depth of about 13.1 meters and is located at coordinates 51 25.352 N,3 28.969 E.

How deep is the seabed around the BIRKENFELS?

The seabed around the BIRKENFELS lies at approximately 15 meters deep.

When did the BIRKENFELS sink?

The BIRKENFELS sank on Dec 18, 1940.

When was the wreck of the BIRKENFELS discovered?

The wreck of the BIRKENFELS was discovered in 1942.

What country did the BIRKENFELS belong to?

The BIRKENFELS belonged to DE.

What cargo was the BIRKENFELS carrying?

The BIRKENFELS was carrying scrap metal.

What was the tonnage of the BIRKENFELS?

The BIRKENFELS had a tonnage of 6322 tons.

What type of wreck is the BIRKENFELS?

The BIRKENFELS is classified as a steam ship.

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