Empire Seaman Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category wreck showing any portion of hull or superstructure
Status Not Fully Surveyed
Empire seaman Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		58 52.259 N,2 54.962 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 58.870983
  • Longitude: -2.916033
Wreck Depth -1.19 m
Water Depth 5 m
Water Level Effect covers and uncovers
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name EMPIRE SEAMAN
Type blockship
Flag GB
Sonar Length 71.7
Sonar Width 13
Shadow Height 6.4
Tonnage 1921
Tonnage Type gross
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jun 30, 1940
Original Detection Year 1940
Last Detection Year 2019
Original Source other
Surveying Details H2496/72 14.3.72 POSN 585215N, 025456W, 190DEG, 2050FT FROM GLIMP HOLM TRIG STN (97). LYING APPROX NW/SE. STERN AND BOWS CUT OFF AND REMOVED, ALSO ENGINES & FITTINGS. EMPTY SHELL STANDING IN 20FT. PROUD OF SURFACE AND IN A VERY STRONG STATE. (UNDERMARINE OPERATIONS 5.3.72). INS AS DWP. BR STD. H1270/76 2.3.76 TWO LARGE RECTANGULAR BLOCKS OF WRECKAGE CENTRED ON 585217.4N, 025453.1W. EACH BLOCK ABOUT 10 X 60MTRS AND BOTH ABOUT 50MTRS APART. THE TWO BLOCKS ARE END TO END AND ORIENTATED 111/291DEG. BOTH SHOW ABOVE THE LEVEL OF MLW. (ORDNANCE SURVEY AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY 73/137 DTD 16.5.73 FOR PG 1428-LP1). AMEND POSN. NC 2162. 3.7.80 COVERED BY LEGEND: 'OBSTRUCTIONS' ON NCS 35, 2162. 28.8.92 ONLY MIDSHIP SECTION REMAINS, BOW & STERN CUT OFF & REMOVED TOGETHER WITH ENGINES. MIDSHIP AREA VERY BROKEN UP WITH ONLY A FEW SECTIONS OF PLATING ARE EXPOSED AT HW. PROP SHAFT & RUDDER CAN BE CLEARLY SEEN. S OF PROP SHAFT THE ENGINE ROOM AREA HAS BEEN BLASTED OPEN, NO LONGER HAVING RECOGNISABLE SHIP SHAPE, BUT MUCH OF ORIGINAL ENGINE EQUIPMENT STILL LYING AROUND. TWO LARGE BOILERS & A LENGTH OF HUGE CAMSHAFT RISE FROM SEABED. STEERING GEAR LIES ON THE SEABED & FUNNEL HAS COLLAPSED BUT STILL HAS REMNANTS OF BRASS STEAM WHISTLE IN PLACE. (DIVE SCAPA FLOW - R MACDONALD). 5.10.10 LOCATED IN 5852.2590N, 0254.9623W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH DRIES 1.39MTRS. (FATHOMS LTD, POST SDC BATHY REPROCESSING). DATA NOISY AND COVERAGE POOR. AMEND POSN. COVERED BY LEGEND: 'OBSTRUCTIONS'. NCA. SEP 2022/000015410 07.04.22 EXAM'D BY BDC; WRECK LOCATED IN 5852.259N, 0254.962W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH -1.19MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 6MTRS. LENGTH 71.7MTRS, WIDTH 13MTRS, HT 7.6MTRS, ORIENTATION 112/292DEGS. NFS. (ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL SURVEY, 12.10.2019, BDC H525.2(lite). AMEND ST -1.2MTRS.
Last Amended Date Feb 21, 2024

Circumstances of loss

STEEL SINGLE-SCREW SS, BUILT 1922, SEIZED BY ROYAL NAVY AS A WAR PRIZE & SUNK IN EAST WEDDEL SOUND AS A BLOCKSHIP. (WKS OF SCAPA FLOW).

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 58 52.259 N,2 54.962 W
Empire Seaman on Wreck Map Empire Seaman Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the EMPIRE SEAMAN wreck located?

The EMPIRE SEAMAN wreck is located at coordinates 58 52.259 N,2 54.962 W.

How deep is the EMPIRE SEAMAN and where exactly is it located?

The EMPIRE SEAMAN lies at a depth of about -1.19 meters and is located at coordinates 58 52.259 N,2 54.962 W.

How deep is the seabed around the EMPIRE SEAMAN?

The seabed around the EMPIRE SEAMAN lies at approximately 5 meters deep.

When did the EMPIRE SEAMAN sink?

The EMPIRE SEAMAN sank on Jun 30, 1940.

When was the wreck of the EMPIRE SEAMAN discovered?

The wreck of the EMPIRE SEAMAN was discovered in 1940.

What country did the EMPIRE SEAMAN belong to?

The EMPIRE SEAMAN belonged to GB.

What was the tonnage of the EMPIRE SEAMAN?

The EMPIRE SEAMAN had a tonnage of 1921 tons.

What type of wreck is the EMPIRE SEAMAN?

The EMPIRE SEAMAN is classified as a blockship.

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