Delaware Wreck
| Field |
Value |
| Wreck Category |
dangerous wreck |
Delaware Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM)
|
49 56.326 N,6 23.084 W |
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
|
- Latitude: 49.938767
- Longitude: -6.384733
|
| Wreck Depth |
9 m
|
| Water Depth |
13 m
|
| Water Level Effect |
always under water/submerged |
| Vertical Datum |
Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide |
| Name |
DELAWARE |
|
Type
|
steam ship
|
| Flag |
GB |
| Length |
115.9 m |
| Width |
11.1 m |
| Draught |
7.9 |
| Tonnage |
3243 |
| Tonnage Type |
gross |
| Cargo |
personnel,general and mixed goods
|
| Conspic Visual |
not visually conspicuous |
| Conspic Radar |
not radar conspicuous |
| Date Sunk |
Dec 20, 1871
|
| Original Detection Year |
1969 |
| Last Detection Year |
1975 |
| Original Source |
other |
| Last Amended Date |
Dec 10, 1981 |
Simplified Wreck Survey
The Delaware is an underwater shipwreck located at coordinates 49 56.326 N, 6 23.084 W in UK waters. Historical hydrographic surveys detail the wreck as being well broken up on a rock and sand bottom at depths ranging from 20 to 60 feet. Early reports from 1969 noted the engine was mostly intact, but subsequent surveys in 1970 indicated the site was heavily salvaged, leaving only the double bottoms and some lead, with no remaining boilers or commercial scrap. Later expeditions by the RAF Honington Sub Aqua Club refined the wreck position and identified prominent structural remains, including machinery and large gear casings rising to a depth of 30 to 40 feet. Due to its shallow nature and scattered debris, the Delaware is charted as a foul seabed and represents a known obstruction and navigation hazard to small craft anchoring in the area.
Surveying Details
H3542/68 21.5.69 WRECK VERY MUCH BROKEN UP IN 20-30FT OF WATER IN 495619N, 062230W. ENGINE MORE OR LESS INTACT. (R EDMONDS DS 5). NCA. H1247/69 23.6.70 LOCATED IN 495612N, 062302W. VERY HEAVILY SALVAGED. ONLY THE DOUBLE BOTTOMS LEFT. HIGHEST OBSTRUCTION FROM BOTTOM IS ABOUT 4FT. NO COMMERCIAL SCRAP LEFT IN HER EXCEPT FOR LEAD. NO BOILERS, NO ENGINE. (CPO R LARN, 20.6.70). NCA. H2568/71 14.11.73 NOT INVESTIGATED AND INFO ABOVE NOT CORROBORATED. (HMS HECATE, R-OF-S APPENDIX 2, 16.7.73). H3227/74 3.1.75 LOCATED IN 495615N, 062303W. WRECK WELL BROKEN UP ON ROCK/SAND BOTTOM IN 60FT. PIECE OF MACHINERY RISES TO 40FT. HAZARD TO SMALL CRAFT ANCHORING. (RAF HONINGTON SUB AQUA CLUB EXPEDITION REPORT, 1974). CHART AS FOUL. NE 34. H1280/76/24 22.1.76 LOCATED IN 495617.4N, 062301.8W USING HSA. WELL BROKEN UP ON A ROCK/SAND BOTTOM IN ABOUT 45FT. THE REMAINS OF THE LARGE GEAR CASING RISE TO A DEPTH OF 30FT. POSN QUOTED IS SLIGHTLY REFINED FROM THE POSN OBTAINED IN 1974 AND IS OF THE NORTHERN END OF THE WRECKAGE ADJACENT TO THE GEAR CASING. (RAF HONINGTON SUB AQUA CLUB EXPEDITION REPORT, 1975). AMENDED TO WK 9MTRS IN REVISED POSN. NE 34.
Circumstances of loss
STRUCK WHAT WAS TO BECOME KNOWN AS DELAWARE LEDGE AND SANK WITH A LOSS OF 48 LIVES EN ROUTE FROM LIVERPOOL TO CALCUTTA. (ISLES OF SCILLY MUSEUM PUBLICATION NO 3). 20.12.1871 REGISTERED IN LIVERPOOL. BUILT IN RAMSAY,ISLE OF MAN IN 1865. SHE WAS BOUND FROM LIVERPOOL TO CALCUTTA VIA SUEZ WITH A GENERAL CARGO WHICH INCLUDED COTTONS, SILKS, SHEET LEAD, TIN AND STATIONERY. IN A NW GALE ON 20.12.1871 SHE WAS SEEN STRUGGLING CLOSE INSHORE DRIFTING BETWEEN MINCARTO AND SEAL ROCK AND SANK SECONDS AFTER A HUGE WAVE HAD REMOVED HER BRIDGE STRUCTURE. ONE ACCOUNT STATES THAT HER ENGINES WERE OVERHEATING AND HAD TO BE STOPPED. TONNAGE GIVEN AS 3423 GROSS. (RAF HONINGTON SUB AQUA CLUB EXPEDITION REPORT - FROM CORNISH SHIPWRECKS VOL.3). BUILT IN 1865 BY THE ISLE OF MAN SB CO. AND OWNED AT THE TIME OF LOSS BY C DIXON. 42 LIVES LOST. (DODS).
WRECK MAP LOADING ...
49 56.326 N,6 23.084 W
Delaware on Wreck Map
Delaware Wreck on Google Map
FAQ
Where is the DELAWARE wreck located?
The DELAWARE wreck is located at coordinates 49 56.326 N,6 23.084 W.
How deep is the DELAWARE and where exactly is it located?
The DELAWARE lies at a depth of about 9 meters and is located at coordinates 49 56.326 N,6 23.084 W.
How deep is the seabed around the DELAWARE?
The seabed around the DELAWARE lies at approximately 13 meters deep.
When did the DELAWARE sink?
The DELAWARE sank on Dec 20, 1871.
When was the wreck of the DELAWARE discovered?
The wreck of the DELAWARE was discovered in 1969.
What country did the DELAWARE belong to?
The DELAWARE belonged to GB.
What cargo was the DELAWARE carrying?
The DELAWARE was carrying personnel,general and mixed goods.
What was the tonnage of the DELAWARE?
The DELAWARE had a tonnage of 3243 tons.
What type of wreck is the DELAWARE?
The DELAWARE is classified as a steam ship.