Leicester Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Leicester Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		51 3.635 N,1 15.902 E
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 51.060583
  • Longitude: 1.265033
Wreck Depth 15.39 m
Water Depth 20 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name LEICESTER
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Length 73.2 m
Width 9.8 m
Sonar Length 87
Sonar Width 12
Shadow Height 4.4
Orientation 10
Tonnage 1001
Tonnage Type gross
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Feb 12, 1916
Bottom Texture 4,7,17
Scour Dimensions 050.0,,001.5,050.0
Original Detection Year 1916
Last Detection Year 2016
Original Source other
Last Amended Date Jan 19, 2017

Simplified Wreck Survey

The shipwreck LEICESTER is an underwater obstruction located off the coast of Folkestone in the United Kingdom at coordinates 51 3.635 N, 1 15.902 E. Originally reported in 1916 with a mast showing, the site underwent salvage and dispersal operations in the 1960s. Modern hydrographic surveys confirm the wreck lies broken into two parts oriented at 010/190 degrees, measuring approximately 87 meters long, 12 meters wide, and 4.4 meters high. The wreck features a least multibeam depth of 15.39 meters within a general surrounding depth of 20 meters, alongside a 50-meter long scour. Historical diving investigations recovered the ship bell, confirming the identity of the well-broken wreckage and scattered debris field.

Surveying Details

H967/16 14.2.16 WK IN 510320N, 011540E, MAST SHOWING. LATER STATED WK HAD BEEN LOCATED & SOUNDED OVER. (ADMIRAL DOVER, 2.12.16) H6345/26 4.11.26 INS NDW (1916) IN 510320N, 011540E. BR STD. H2715/60 23.6.60 DRIFT SWEEP CLEAR AT 32FT. LEAST E/S DEPTH 35FT. POSN 110DEGS, 2.77M FROM FOLKESTONE LIGHT IN 510430N, 011150E. (HMS SCOTT, 27.5.60). AMEND TO WK 5FMS 2FT, MARKED BY G CAN LT BUOY, GPFL(2)G.10S CLOSE E. - NM 1515/60. H2760/49 18.1.62 AMEND BUOY TO G CONL LT BUOY, GPFL(3)G.10S CLOSE N. - NM 2749/61. H2118/61 26.6.63 DISPERSAL CONTRACT PLACED. (TH LTR DTD 19.6.63). H899/64 10.3.64 SALVAGE OPERATIONS IN PROGRESS MARKED BY 4 YELLOW BUOYS. (RISDON BEAZLEY LTD, 19.2.64). - NM 481(T)/64. H899/64 24.5.65 OPERATIONS SUSPENDED FOR THE WINTER. RESUMED ON 24.5.65. (RISDON BEAZLEY LTD, 1.12.64 & 24.5.65). - NM 2354/64 & NM 1146(T)/65. H2715/60 12.7.65 CHAIN SWEPT AFTER DISPERSAL. CLEAR AT 49FT, FOUL AT 51FT [MLWS]. (THV VESTAL, 11.6.65). AMEND TO SW 8FMS 1FT. DELETE BUOY. - NM 1365/65. 7.9.73 AMEND TO SW 14.2MTRS. NC 1892. H4199/78 16.8.78 LOCATED 13.12.77 IN 510336N, 011601E [OGB] USING TRISPONDER [2 LOP]. LEAST E/S DEPTH 16.1 IN GEN DEPTH 21MTRS. SCOUR DEPTH 22MTRS. DCS3 HT 5.7MTRS, LENGTH 80MTRS. LYING 010/190DEGS. NOT FOUND DURING AREA SEARCH, BUT LOCATED DURING DISPROVING INVESTIGATION. (HMS BULLDOG, HI 35/77). RETAIN SWEPT DEPTH. H1310/86/15 24.6.86 DIVED ON IN 1985. WELL BROKEN WITH REMAINS COVERING LARGE AREA. IDENTIFICATION CONFIRMED BY RECOVERY OF DAMAGED BELL. (P G WEATHERLEY, 9.6.86). HH090/711/01 27.1.97 EXAM'D 8.8.96 IN 510338N, 011555E [WGD] USING DGPS. SWEPT CLEAR AT 14.6, FOUL AT 14.8MTRS. SCOUR DEPTH 1MTR. LEAST E/S DEPTH 14.5 IN GEN DEPTH 20MTRS. DCS3 HT 5.5MTRS. LENGTH 60MTRS, WIDTH 42MTRS. LIES 030/210DEGS. BROKEN WRECKAGE AND SCATTERED DEBRIS. (NP 1016, HI 711). CHART AS SW 14.5MTRS IN REVISED POSN. BR STD. SEP 2016/000091760 19.01.17 EXAM'D 10.09.16; IN 5103.635N, 0115.902E [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 15.39MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 20MTRS, LENGTH 87MTRS, WIDTH 12MTRS, HEIGHT 4.4MTRS, ORIENTATION 010/190 DEGS. SCOUR LENGTH 50MTRS, 1.5MTRS DEEP, TOWARDS 050 DEGS. WRECK BROKEN IN 2 PARTS. (GARDLINE, HI 1496). AMEND DW 15.3MTRS IN REVISED POSN.

Circumstances of loss

SUNK BY MINE 2.5M SE BY E OF FOLKESTONE PIER WHILST EN ROUTE FROM PORTSMOUTH TO CROMARTY. (LL WW1). VESSEL, BUILT 1891 BY EARLE'S CO. AND OWNED AT THE TIME OF LOSS BY GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY CO., WAS MINED & SANK 2.5M SE BY E OF FOLKESTONE PIER. 17 LIVES LOST. (DODS).

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 51 3.635 N,1 15.902 E
Leicester on Wreck Map Leicester Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the LEICESTER wreck located?

The LEICESTER wreck is located at coordinates 51 3.635 N,1 15.902 E.

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

The LEICESTER lies at a depth of about 15.39 meters and is located at coordinates 51 3.635 N,1 15.902 E.

How deep is the seabed around the LEICESTER?

The seabed around the LEICESTER lies at approximately 20 meters deep.

When did the LEICESTER sink?

The LEICESTER sank on Feb 12, 1916.

When was the wreck of the LEICESTER discovered?

The wreck of the LEICESTER was discovered in 1916.

What country did the LEICESTER belong to?

The LEICESTER belonged to GB.

What was the tonnage of the LEICESTER?

The LEICESTER had a tonnage of 1001 tons.

What type of wreck is the LEICESTER?

The LEICESTER is classified as a steam ship.

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