Where is the LINDENBANK wreck located?

The LINDENBANK wreck is located at coordinates 3 52.35 N,159 23 W.

How deep is the seabed around the LINDENBANK?

The seabed around the LINDENBANK lies at approximately 2 meters deep.

When did the LINDENBANK sink?

The LINDENBANK sank on Aug 17, 1975.

When was the wreck of the LINDENBANK discovered?

The wreck of the LINDENBANK was discovered in 1975.

What cargo was the LINDENBANK carrying?

The LINDENBANK was carrying natural fibres and materials in general: unprocessed and products,timber,oil.

What was the tonnage of the LINDENBANK?

The LINDENBANK had a tonnage of 8380 tons.

What type of wreck is the LINDENBANK?

The LINDENBANK is classified as a carrier.

Lindenbank Wreck

Field	Value
Wreck Category	wreck showing any portion of hull or superstructure
Lindenbank Wreck Location Marine Coordinates (DMM)	3 52.35 N,159 23 W
Latitude, Longitude Decimal Degrees	Latitude: 3.872500 Longitude: -159.383333
Water Depth	2 m
Water Level Effect	covers and uncovers
Vertical Datum	Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name	LINDENBANK
Type	carrier
Flag	GB
Length	45.4 m
Width	5.8 m
Draught	3.7
Orientation	157
Tonnage	8380
Tonnage Type	gross
Cargo	natural fibres and materials in general: unprocessed and products,timber,oil
Conspic Visual	not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar	radar conspicuous
Date Sunk	Aug 17, 1975
Original Detection Year	1975
Last Detection Year	1991
Original Source	Lloyd's and Marine Underwriter's reports
Last Amended Date	Mar 8, 2004

Simplified Wreck Survey

The shipwreck of the vessel LINDENBANK is located at coordinates 03 52.35 N, 159 23 W off the coast of Fanning Island (Tabuaeran) in the Pacific Ocean. The vessel ran aground on Fanning Island in 1975 and subsequently began to break up following unsuccessful salvage attempts by US Navy tugs. Survey reports describe the wreck lying parallel to the coastline with the bow oriented towards the south-southeast. The structure is well broken, with the mid-section, bridge, and funnel remaining as conspicuous features, while the bow and stern sections have largely deteriorated and are only partially visible. Historically noted as an excellent radar target, this underwater obstruction serves as a significant maritime landmark in the region. The wreckage remains at these coordinates as a permanent underwater feature.

Surveying Details

19.8.85 AGROUND ON FANNING ISLAND [034500N, 1592400W]. (LL 19.8.75). 17.9.75 VESSEL STARTING TO BREAK UP. SALVAGE ATTEMPT INITIALLY UNSUCCESSFUL. FURTHER ATTEMPTS TO BE MADE BY US NAVY TUGS. (LL 23.8.75, 28.8.75, 17.9.75 & ANDREW WEIR & CO (BANK LINE) TELECON). H1278/75 22.9.75 ATTEMPTS BY USN TUGS BOLSTER AND SAFEGUARD TO SALVAGE NOW ABANDONED. (CINCUSNAVEUR, LONDON, SIGNAL DTD 19.9.75). STILL NO ACCURATE POSN! H2337/81 5.5.81 LOCATED IN POSITION 310 DEG, 1.52 MILES FROM OBSERVATION SPOT, ENGLISH HBR [035123N, 1592150W]. AN EXCELLENT RADAR TARGET AT UP TO 30 MILES DISTANCE. (CAPT P BURGESS, HONIARA). INS AS STF RA (CONSPIC). HDG SSE/NNW IN POSN 310 DEG, 1.52 MILES FROM OBS SPOT [035123N, 1592150W]. - NM 1198/81. H5259/83 1.5.91 LIES IN 035230N, 1592248W PARALLEL TO COASTLINE WITH BOW SSE. MID SECTION BRIDGE STRUCTURE AND FUNNEL REMAINS CONSPICUOUS BUT STERN AND BOW SECTIONS HAVE BROKEN OFF AND CAN ONLY JUST BE SEEN. (HMNZS MONOWAI, PHOTOS DTD 11.7.85). NCA.

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1961 BY WK DOXFORD & SONS (SHIPBUILDERS) LTD, SUNDERLAND. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY BANK LINE LTD. PASSAGE KIMBE, NEW BRITAIN, FOR UK AND CONTINENTAL PORTS. CRGO 5300 TONS COPRA, 1100 TONS PALM OIL, 1100 TONS COCOANUT OIL, 500 TONS EXPELLER MEAT. SUBSEQUENT HEAVY WINTER SWELLS PUSHED THE VESSEL ONTO THE REEF. SALVAGE ATTEMPTS FAILED. ABANDONED AS CTL. (MSD).

General Comments

BRIDGE SUPERSTRUCTURE AND FUNNEL ARE CONSPIC

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 3 52.35 N,159 23 W

Lindenbank on Wreck Map Lindenbank Wreck on Google Map

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