Hms James Fennel Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Hms james fennel Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 32.727 N,2 27.381 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.545450
  • Longitude: -2.456350
Wreck Depth 11 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name HMS JAMES FENNEL
Type trawler
Flag GB
Length 35.2 m
Width 6.7 m
Draught 3.7
Sonar Length 7
Sonar Width 3
Shadow Height 3
Tonnage 215
Tonnage Type gross
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Mar 22, 1920
Original Detection Year 1920
Last Detection Year 2025
Original Source national coast guard or patrol
Surveying Details H2179/20 24.3.20 WK IN 503245N, 022725W APPROX. (KHM PORTLAND). BR STD. H7198/22 20.11.22 DW PA IN 503245N, 022725W. (AUTHORITY UNKNOWN). BR STD. 11.2.69 WK OF 'JAMES FENNEL' LOCATED IN 503230N, 022745W. (T SIMS, BATTERSEA BRANCH BSAC). AWAIT CONFIRMATION. NCA. H2923/83 3.1.85 TOO CLOSE INSHORE TO INVESTIGATE SAFELY. LOCAL DIVERS REPORT WK LIES 30YDS OFF BEACH IN CHARTED POSN. WELL BROKEN-UP, LYING N/S WITH HEIGHT ABOVE SEABED APPROX 20 TO 30FT. NO MAST, HIGHEST POINT PROBABLY BOILERS. LENGTH 80FT. (GARDLINE SURVEYS, HI 202). NCA. 24.5.90 WK OF 'JAMES FENNELL' LIES IN 503239N, 022718W, 50YDS FROM BEACH BENEATH SOUTHERN OF TWO STONE STACKS ON BLACKNOR POINT IN GEN DEPTH 15MTRS. STERN IS COMPLETE & STANDS APPROX 6MTRS OFF SEABED, FORWARD SECTION IS SEPARATE & WELL BROKEN UP. (J & V HINCHCLIFFE, DIVE DORSET). NCA. H091/242/01 / SEP 2009/000159377 21.10.09 EXAM'D 9.2008 IN 5032.7764N, 0227.4911W [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST M/B DEPTH 19.02 IN GEN DEPTH 22MTRS. LENGTH 7MTRS, WIDTH 3MTRS, HT 3MTRS. LIES ADJACENT TO A VERY ROCKY AREA. APPEARS AS A SINGLE LARGE CONTACT, POSSIBLY THE BOW, WITH A NUMBER OF SMALLER CONTACTS WITHIN 25MTRS. (NETSURVEY, HI 1242). ?BOILER. AMEND TO WK 19MTRS IN REVISED POSN. - NM 6624/09. RSDRA2025000386971 21.08.25 WK OF JAMES FENNEL EXAM'D BY DIVERS. BOILER AND DEBRIS FIELD LOCATED APPROXIMATE POSITION 5032.727N, 0227.381W [WGD] AFTER INVESTIGATION OF ORGINAL LOCATION. REVISED LEAST DEPTH 11.0MTRS IN GENERAL DEPTH 14.5MTRS. (STEVEN WINSTANLEY VIA H102). AMEND DWK 11MTRS IN REVISED APPROXIMATE POSTION.
Last Amended Date Aug 15, 2025

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1918 BY FULLERTON & CO, PAISLEY. ONE BOILER, TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE OF 75NHP, SINGLE SHAFT. MACHINEY BY PLENTY & SONS, NEWBURY. PASSAGE GIBRALTAR FOR PORTSMOUTH. DROVE ASHORE ON TARR ROCKS IN DENSE FOG AND HEAVY SEAS. NO LIVES LOST. A FEW DAYS LATER AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO TOW HER OFF STERN FIRST, BUT SHE IMMEDIATELY SANK. (SIBI).

General Comments

SINGLE MAIN CONTACT, BOILER

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 32.727 N,2 27.381 W
Hms James Fennel on Wreck Map Hms James Fennel Wreck on Google Map

More Trawler Wrecks:

Nearby Wrecks:

FAQ

Where is the HMS JAMES FENNEL wreck located?

The HMS JAMES FENNEL wreck is located at coordinates 50 32.727 N,2 27.381 W.

How deep is the HMS JAMES FENNEL and where exactly is it located?

The HMS JAMES FENNEL lies at a depth of about 11 meters and is located at coordinates 50 32.727 N,2 27.381 W.

When did the HMS JAMES FENNEL sink?

The HMS JAMES FENNEL sank on Mar 22, 1920.

When was the wreck of the HMS JAMES FENNEL discovered?

The wreck of the HMS JAMES FENNEL was discovered in 1920.

What country did the HMS JAMES FENNEL belong to?

The HMS JAMES FENNEL belonged to GB.

What was the tonnage of the HMS JAMES FENNEL?

The HMS JAMES FENNEL had a tonnage of 215 tons.

What type of wreck is the HMS JAMES FENNEL?

The HMS JAMES FENNEL is classified as a trawler.

Back to Wrecks