Cairndhu Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Cairndhu Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 37.523 N,0 26.348 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.625383
  • Longitude: -0.439133
Wreck Depth 12.95 m
Water Depth 23 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name CAIRNDHU
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Length 112.8 m
Width 15.5 m
Draught 7.6
Sonar Length 120
Sonar Width 30
Shadow Height 12.5
Orientation 10
Tonnage 4019
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo coal
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Apr 15, 1917
Bottom Texture Gravel
Scour Dimensions 015.0,,,005.0
Original Detection Year 1917
Last Detection Year 2018
Original Source published World War 1 losses
Surveying Details SUNK 25M W OF BEACHY HEAD. (WW1SL). H3211/17 24.1.18 TO BE DISPERSED IN 1918. 2 MASTS VISIBLE IN 503733N, 002654W. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED). H7789/35 3.11.35 OBSTN IN 503729N, 002611W. SWEPT CLEAR 56FT. (HMS FLINDERS, 15.11.35). CHART AS WK 9.25FMS. - NM 2138/35. 23.7.71 NOW CHARTED AS SW 17.1MTRS. NC 1652. H3958/73 15.8.73 LOCATED IN 503733N, 002616W, USING E/S & TRANSIT SONAR. IN GEN DEPTH 80FT. (KELVIN HUGHES, SURVEY [K6719/1-4]). AMEND TO USC 17MTRS IN REVISED POSN. NC 1652. H4121/76 14.1.77 WRECK LOCATED 5.9.76 IN 503729N, 002614W [OGB] USING HI-FIX [2 LOP]. LEAST E/S DEPTH 17MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 24MTRS. SCOUR DEPTH 1.1MTRS. DEFINITE WK. DCS3 HEIGHT 7.4 & 8.2MTRS, LENGTH 120MTRS. ORIENTATION SW/NE. SONAR TRACE SHOWS VESSEL WITH DISTINCT FORECASTLE, WELL DECK AND AFTERCASTLE. R TODD, SPITHEAD MARINE SALVAGE CO, HAS DIVED ON THIS WK & SAYS IT IS COASTER CONFIGURATION LYING E/W, CANTED TO STARBOARD WITH SUPERSTRUCTURE BROKEN OFF. (HMS FOX, HI 52/76). CHART AS WK 15.8MTRS IN REVISED POSN. NC 2450. H1270/72 6.3.78 BOWS INTACT, REST COMPLETELY BROKEN. STERN RECOGNISABLE BY PROP SHAFT & LARGE STEERING QUADRANT STILL ON ITS SHAFT. THREE BOILERS & ENGINE ARE HIGHEST AT 20FT. APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A LARGE VESSEL, FROM MAGNETOMETER 5000TONS, HANDRAILS AND MANY PORTHOLES OF BRASS. NO SIGN OF HOLDS, CARGO OR AMMO SUGGESTS A LINER. (M WALSH, 8.1.78). H2318/74 5.6.79 EXAM'D 31.10.78. SWEPT CLEAR 17.3MTRS, FOUL 17.8MTRS IN 503727N, 002614.9W [OGB] USING TRISPONDER. (HMS BULLDOG, HI 37B/77). AMEND TO SW 17.3MTRS IN 503727N, 002615W [OGB]. - NM 1491/79. H1310/83/4 19.1.83 DIVED ON. ABOUT 2000 TONS. LARGELY BROKEN UP AND LYING APPROX E/W WITH STERN W. 3 LARGE BOILERS & ENGINE STAND 20FT ABOVE SEABED. HOWITZER GUN & AMMUNITION DATED 1916 FOUND 30FT FROM STERN. ANOTHER GUN WITH 10 TO 15FT LONG BARREL STANDS TO 20FT ON STERN, WHICH IS BROKEN OFF LISTING 60DEGS TO STBD. (T W BENNETTO, 4.1.83). NCA. H1310/80/24 2.7.80 CONFIRMED AS 'CAIRNDHU' FROM BOSS ON SHIP'S WHEEL. (T F BARWICK). NCA. H1310/84/10 21.3.84 CONSIDER THIS WK TO BE THE 'CAIRNDHU'. (J SALSBURY, 7.3.84). NCA. HH091/002/01 14.11.02 EXAM'D 20.8.02 IN 5037.478N, 0026.353W [WGD] USING DGPS. SWEPT CLEAR 18.3, FOUL 18.6MTRS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 18.9 IN GEN DEPTH 25MTRS. NO SCOUR. LENGTH 40MTRS, WIDTH 20MTRS. DCS3 HT 4MTRS. LIES 000/180 DEGS. MODERATE MAGNETIC ANOMALY. (NP 1016, HI 1002). APPEARS IN 3 PARTS ON DCS3. BR STD. 24.11.04 WK OWNED BY J SALSBURY. EXPLOSIVES USED TO RECOVER CONDENSER COPPER & BRONZE BEARINGS, ENGINE TOPPLED OVER IN LATE 1980S. (DIVER MAGAZINE, NOV'04) 17.12.04 DIVED JUL'04, NO SIGN OF GUN OR ITS MOUNT ON STERN, WHICH IS WELL BROKEN. PART OF STEERING ENGINE WHICH COULD BE MISTAKEN FOR A GUN BARREL. SEABED SOFT SILTY SAND. PHOTOS OF BOILER PIPES & PROPELLER SHAFT. (DIVER MAGAZINE DEC'04) SEP 2018/000198963 10.08.18 EXAM'D 08.02.18; IN 5037.523N, 0026.348W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 12.95MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 23MTRS, LENGTH 120MTRS, WIDTH 30MTRS, HEIGHT 12.5MTRS, ORIENTATION 010/190 DEGS. SCOUR LENGTH 15MTRS, TOWARDS 005 DEGS. MASS OF BROKEN DEBRIS WITH GENERAL OUTLINE OF HULL. BOW N. THREE BOILERS &POSSIBLY ENGINE ON ITS SIDE IN MIDSHIPS. PROPELLER SHAFT/TUNNEL VISIBLE EXTENDING FROM BOILERS TO STERN. STERN MOSTLY FLATTENED BUT BOW STILL QUITE PROMINENT &POSSIBLY NETTED. (MMT, HI 1498). AMEND DW 12.9MTRS IN REVISED POSN.
Last Amended Date Aug 10, 2018

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1911 BY W DOXFORD & SONS, SUNDERLAND. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY CAIRN LINE SS LTD. TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE, SINGLE SHAFT. PASSAGE SOUTH SHIELDS FOR GIBRALTAR. CARGO COAL. TORPEDOED BY UB-40. ELEVEN MEN LOST.

General Comments

SEVERELY DECAYED, BOW N, NETTED? UK NM 4464/18

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 37.523 N,0 26.348 W
Cairndhu on Wreck Map Cairndhu Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the CAIRNDHU wreck located?

The CAIRNDHU wreck is located at coordinates 50 37.523 N,0 26.348 W.

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

The CAIRNDHU lies at a depth of about 12.95 meters and is located at coordinates 50 37.523 N,0 26.348 W.

How deep is the seabed around the CAIRNDHU?

The seabed around the CAIRNDHU lies at approximately 23 meters deep.

When did the CAIRNDHU sink?

The CAIRNDHU sank on Apr 15, 1917.

When was the wreck of the CAIRNDHU discovered?

The wreck of the CAIRNDHU was discovered in 1917.

What country did the CAIRNDHU belong to?

The CAIRNDHU belonged to GB.

What cargo was the CAIRNDHU carrying?

The CAIRNDHU was carrying coal.

What was the tonnage of the CAIRNDHU?

The CAIRNDHU had a tonnage of 4019 tons.

What type of wreck is the CAIRNDHU?

The CAIRNDHU is classified as a steam ship.

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