Helena Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Helena Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		52 33.839 N,2 3.958 E
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 52.563983
  • Longitude: 2.065967
Wreck Depth 21.48 m
Water Depth 29 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name HELENA
Type steam ship
Flag NL
Length 85.3 m
Width 11.7 m
Draught 5.6
Sonar Length 89.4
Sonar Width 14.5
Shadow Height 8
Orientation 38
Tonnage 1798
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo ballast
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Nov 21, 1916
Bottom Texture 4,6
Scour Dimensions 232.3,,004.7,007.0
Original Detection Year 1916
Last Detection Year 2017
Original Source published World War 1 losses
Last Amended Date Aug 7, 2017

Simplified Wreck Survey

The shipwreck Helena is an intact, upright vessel located in the North Sea off the coast of East Anglia at coordinates 52 33.839 N, 002 03.958 E. Originally thought to be the Avonwood, the identity of the wreck was confirmed as the Helena in 2004 following the recovery of the ship's bell. Comprehensive hydrographic surveys, including the most recent assessment in 2017, describe the wreck as measuring 89.4 meters in length and 14.5 meters in width, with a height of 8 meters from the seabed. The Helena lies on a 038/218 degree orientation in a general water depth of 29 meters, with the least multibeam echo sounder depth recorded at 21.48 meters. The structure remains largely intact despite evidence of previous damage, including a significant historical hole in the starboard side. The site features a scour pit measuring 232.3 meters long and 4.7 meters deep. Divers and mariners should be aware that the wreck remains a navigational obstruction and contains structural debris.

Surveying Details

THOUGHT TO BE 'AVONWOOD', BUT SEE [11034]. H04114/42 27.5.43 INS WK 5FMS 1FT. - NM 1093/43 H7252/16 22.11.16 POSN 4 TO 6 MILES SE OF CROSS SAND LTV. ACCEPT 523545N, 020245E PA. H04114/42 25.6.47 DISPERSED CLEAR TO 45FT. POSN 523324N 020342E. (DWITHA 25.6.47). H04114/42 14.7.48 OROPESA SWEEP CLEAR AT 45FT. POSN 523346N, 020350E. (HMS SHARPSHOOTER, 14.7.48). AMEND TO WK 7FMS 3FT. - NM 1673/48. H3730/69 30.5.69 EXAM'D IN 525352N, 020402E [OGB] USING HIFIX [2 LOP]. LEAST E/S DEPTH 60 IN GEN DEPTH 90FT. SCOUR 111FT. (HMS BULLDOG, HI 38/68). AMEND TO WK 10FMS IN REVISED POSN. BR STD. H4398/71 16.9.71 EXAM'D IN 523356N, 020328E [OGB] USING HIFIX/6 [2 LOP]. SWEPT CLEAR AT 17.0MTRS, FOUL AT 18.1MTRS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 19.8MTRS IN 30.0MTRS. SCOUR 32.0MTRS. MARKED SURFACE DISCOLOURATION & TURBULENCE. LIES SSW/NNE, 350FT LONG. (HMS ENTERPRISE, 25.6.71). AMEND TO SW 9FMS 2FT IN REVISED POSN. LC 1504. H4629/71 22.12.71 QUITE UPRIGHT, LYING N/S. APPEARS IN ROBUST STATE WITH PART OF SUPERSTRUCTURE. DAMAGE TO STBD SIDE, 10FT WIDE HOLE KEEL TO GUNWALE. LITTLE SCOUR. DANGER TO DIVERS BECAUSE OF FISHING NET. (E GILES, 13.12.71). 5.4.72 AMEND TO SW 17.0MTRS. NC 1543. 22.11.72 SHOWN IN POSN 523348N, 020330E [EUR] ON NETHERLANDS FISHERIES 1954 [REC'D 7.11.72]. HH090/616/01 26.10.94 EXAM'D 3.7.94 IN 523348.7N, 020404.2E [OGB] USING SYLEDIS [3 LOP]. SWEPT CLEAR 20.6, FOUL 20.9MTRS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 21.0 IN GEN DEPTH 29.0MTRS. SCOUR DEPTH 4.0MTRS. DCS3 HT 8.5MTRS. LENGTH 86MTRS, WIDTH 20MTRS. LIES 040/220 DEGS. INTACT WITH MINOR DEBRIS 15MTRS TO THE NORTH. (GARDLINE, HI616). HH100/351/15 28.2.00 WK IS INTACT AND UPRIGHT. SOME SUPERSTRUCTURE IS STILL LEFT BUT IT IS A STATE OF COLLAPSE. HIGHEST POINT IS THE MIDSHIPS, WHICH STANDS ABOUT 6MTRS CLEAR OF THE SEABED. (R HICKINBOTTOM, LTR DTD 26.2.00). NCA. 27.8.04 HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 'HELENA' BY RECOVERED BELL. (A KENTUCK, DEPUTY RECEIVER OF WK, EMAIL DTD 26.8.04). NCA. SEP 2017/000067039 15.3.17 EXAM'D 15.3.17: WRECK IN 5233.839N, 0203.958E [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 21.48MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 29MTRS. LENGTH 89.4MTRS, WIDTH 14.5MTRS, HT 8.0MTRS, ORIENTATION 038/218 DEGS. SCOUR DIMENSIONS LENGTH 232.3MTRS, 4.7MTRS DEEP, TOWARD 007 DEGS. WK INTACT AND UPRIGHT.(GARDLINE, HI 1516). AMEND DW 21MTRS IN REVISED POSN.

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1907 BY CRAIG, TAYLOR & CO LTD, STOCKTON-ON-TEES. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY NAAML VENN A C LENSEN'S STOOMV. TWO BOILERS, TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE OF 167 NHP, SINGLE SHAFT. PASSAGE ROTTERDAM FOR NEW YORK. STRUCK MINE LAIR BY UC-112.

General Comments

UPRIGHT & INTACT

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 52 33.839 N,2 3.958 E
Helena on Wreck Map Helena Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the HELENA wreck located?

The HELENA wreck is located at coordinates 52 33.839 N,2 3.958 E.

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

The HELENA lies at a depth of about 21.48 meters and is located at coordinates 52 33.839 N,2 3.958 E.

How deep is the seabed around the HELENA?

The seabed around the HELENA lies at approximately 29 meters deep.

When did the HELENA sink?

The HELENA sank on Nov 21, 1916.

When was the wreck of the HELENA discovered?

The wreck of the HELENA was discovered in 1916.

What country did the HELENA belong to?

The HELENA belonged to NL.

What cargo was the HELENA carrying?

The HELENA was carrying ballast.

What was the tonnage of the HELENA?

The HELENA had a tonnage of 1798 tons.

What type of wreck is the HELENA?

The HELENA is classified as a steam ship.

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