Forester (& Pontoon) Wreck
| Field |
Value |
| Wreck Category |
dangerous wreck |
Forester (& pontoon) Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM)
|
50 34.371 N,2 24.995 W |
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
|
- Latitude: 50.572850
- Longitude: -2.416583
|
| Wreck Depth |
8.8 m
|
| Water Depth |
16 m
|
| Water Level Effect |
always under water/submerged |
| Vertical Datum |
Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide |
| Name |
FORESTER (& PONTOON) |
|
Type
|
collier
|
| Flag |
GB |
| Length |
29.6 m |
| Width |
6.7 m |
| Draught |
2.7 |
| Sonar Length |
28.8 |
| Sonar Width |
5.11 |
| Shadow Height |
7.7 |
| Orientation |
10 |
| Tonnage |
191 |
| Cargo |
ballast
|
| Conspic Visual |
not visually conspicuous |
| Conspic Radar |
not radar conspicuous |
| Date Sunk |
Jan 12, 1930
|
| Original Detection Year |
1945 |
| Last Detection Year |
2008 |
| Original Source |
national HO/authority wreck information |
| Last Amended Date |
Nov 2, 2009 |
Simplified Wreck Survey
The shipwreck of the Forester and its associated pontoon is located off the coast of Portland, Dorset, at the precise underwater position 50 34.371 N, 2 24.995 W. This wreck site consists of the British steam collier Forester, a 191-gross register tonnage vessel that sank on January 12, 1930, resting alongside a sunken pontoon measuring approximately 60 meters in length. Surveys confirm the wreckage lies intact on its starboard side, oriented on a 010/190 degree axis with the bow facing north. The main wreck of the Forester measures 28.81 meters in length, 5.11 meters in width, and stands 7.7 meters high. When including the adjacent pontoon, the total site footprint reaches approximately 10 meters in width. Hydrographic surveys conducted using DGPS indicate a least depth of 8.81 meters over the obstruction, set within a general seabed depth of 16.51 meters, with no signs of significant scour around the site. This historical maritime obstruction remains a charted feature for navigation near the Portland outer breakwater.
Surveying Details
H4032/45 28.8.45 CENTRE OF WK LIES 342DEGS, 330FT FROM BN C ON OUTER BREAKWATER. LIES PARALLEL TO BREAKWATER. LENGTH 200FT. LEAST DEPTH OVER WK 34FT [MLWS]. (PORTLAND DOCKYARD, DTD 30.7.45). - NM 2552/45. H2585/70 31.1.79 SHOWN WITH LEAST DEPTH 8.5MTRS. LIES WITH BOW S PARALLEL TO B'WATER. LENGTH ABOUT 28MTRS. (DOE SURVEY [K8101/2], DTD OCT 1978). NE 2268. H5249/76 28.10.80 THIS IS CONSIDERED TO BE WK OF BRITISH S COLLIER 'FORESTER', 191GRT, WHICH SANK 12.1.30. (W E BUTLAND, BSAC RECORDS OFFICER, DTD 20.10.80). NCA. H5249/76 10.12.80 NOW CONFIRMED AS WK OF 'FORESTER'. (W E BUTLAND, DTD 26.11.80). NCA. 14.10.04 EUT POSN: 5034.368N, 0224.979W. NE 2268. HH091/217/09 / SEP 2009/000158351 2.11.09 EXAM'D 17.3.08 IN 5034.371N, 0224.995W [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST M/B 8.81 IN GEN DEPTH 16.51MTRS. NO SCOUR. LENGTH 28.81MTRS, WIDTH 5.11MTRS, HT 7.7MTRS. LIES 010/190DEGS WITH BOW N. INTACT, ON STBD SIDE. LIES ALONGSIDE A PONTOON OF APPROX 60MTRS, WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE SUNK WITH IT. LEAST DEPTH QUOTED IS FOR THE PONTOON. (HMSML GLEANER, HI 1217). AMEND DWP 8.8MTRS, LENGTH 28.8MTRS, WIDTH 10MTRS [TO INCLUDE PONTOON] IN REVISED POSN. BR STD.
Circumstances of loss
TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE, SINGLE SHAFT. PASSAGE POOLE FOR SWANSEA. ARRIVED PORTLAND FROM POOLE TWO DAYS EARLIER AND ANCHORED TO AVOID BAD WEATHER. PARTED MOORINGS AND DROVE RIGHT THROUGH THE ATLANTIC FLEET. WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE WARSHIPS AND STRUCK THE BREAKWATER, SLID OFF, CAPSIZED AND SANK. CREW AND ONE STOWAWAY SCRAMBLED ONTO THE BREAKWATER. (SIBI).
WRECK MAP LOADING ...
50 34.371 N,2 24.995 W
Forester (& Pontoon) on Wreck Map
Forester (& Pontoon) Wreck on Google Map
FAQ
Where is the FORESTER (& PONTOON) wreck located?
The FORESTER (& PONTOON) wreck is located at coordinates 50 34.371 N,2 24.995 W.
How deep is the FORESTER (& PONTOON) and where exactly is it located?
The FORESTER (& PONTOON) lies at a depth of about 8.8 meters and is located at coordinates 50 34.371 N,2 24.995 W.
How deep is the seabed around the FORESTER (& PONTOON)?
The seabed around the FORESTER (& PONTOON) lies at approximately 16 meters deep.
When did the FORESTER (& PONTOON) sink?
The FORESTER (& PONTOON) sank on Jan 12, 1930.
When was the wreck of the FORESTER (& PONTOON) discovered?
The wreck of the FORESTER (& PONTOON) was discovered in 1945.
What country did the FORESTER (& PONTOON) belong to?
The FORESTER (& PONTOON) belonged to GB.
What cargo was the FORESTER (& PONTOON) carrying?
The FORESTER (& PONTOON) was carrying ballast.
What was the tonnage of the FORESTER (& PONTOON)?
The FORESTER (& PONTOON) had a tonnage of 191 tons.
What type of wreck is the FORESTER (& PONTOON)?
The FORESTER (& PONTOON) is classified as a collier.
General Comments
INTACT, ON STBD SIDE, BOWS N, WITH SUNKEN PONTOON