Merchant Royal Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Merchant royal Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 20.066 N,2 29.784 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.334433
  • Longitude: -2.496400
Wreck Depth 42 m
Water Depth 54 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name MERCHANT ROYAL
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Length 122.2 m
Width 16.8 m
Draught 7.9
Sonar Length 136
Sonar Width 28
Shadow Height 11
Orientation 96
Tonnage 5008
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo metal: concentrate and products,wood: unprocessed and products
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jul 3, 1946
Bottom Texture Sand
Original Detection Year 1946
Last Detection Year 2003
Original Source other
Surveying Details H3884/46 2.8.46 POSN 501946N, 023024W. (C IN C PORTSMOUTH). INS AS NDW. BR STD. H3884/46 22.7.55 EXAM'D IN 502003N, 022941W USING DECCA. LEAST E/S DEPTH 18FMS IN GEN DEPTH 28FMS. LYING APPROX 120/300DEGS. (SCES/HMS SCOTT, 22.9.54). AMEND TO 18FMS IN REVISED POSN. BR STD. H3884/46 28.9.56 SALVAGE OPERATIONS TO COMMENCE. BOTH SETS OF SAMSON POSTS ARE IN POSN AND WK IS ON KEEL. DEPTH OVER POSTS IS 60FT AT MLWS. (C IN C PORTSMOUTH, 28.9.56). H3884/46 8.10.56 AMENDED TO WK 10FMS. (RISDON BEAZLEY). BR STD. H3884/46 10.2.60 ONE SAMSON POST REMOVED. THE REMAINING POST IS APPROX 110FT ABOVE SEABED. SALVAGE OPERATIONS SUSPENDED. (RISDON BEAZLEY, 22.1.57). 19.6.69 CHECKED WITH LLOYDS AND RISDON BEAZLEY ABOUT NAME 'GOODWOOD'. NOTHING KNOWN. RISDON BEAZLEY WORKED ON MERCHANT ROYAL IN 1956 (WKS OFFICER) H2501/60 19.6.69 MAST DEMOLISHED. MINIMUM DEPTH NOW 131FT CORRECTED TO CHART DATUM. (HMS RECLAIM, SIGNAL DTD 24.5.69). AMEND TO WK 22FMS. - NM 1175/69. H3950/70 24.5.71 AMEND TO WK 40MTRS. NC 3315. 22.8.84 BELL RECOVERED AUG 1984. NAME 'GOODWOOD - 1928'. WK STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. (M SKELSEY). HH100/351/21 8.10.03 DIVED 27.5.03 IN 5020.197N, 0229.963W [WGD]. STANDS 7MTRS HIGH BY DEPTH GAUGE. SCOUR 1MTR DEEP. MAINLY INTACT. STERN WITH A 5 DEG LIST TO PORT. BOWS BUCKLED AND TWISTED WITH 15 DEG LIST TO PORT. (C R POOLE). AMEND POSN. BR STD. HH090/961/01 8.12.03 EXAM'D 29.7.03 IN 5020.066N, 0229.784W [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 42.1 IN GEN DEPTH 54MTRS. NO SCOUR. LENGTH 136MTRS, WIDTH 28MTRS. DCS3 HT 11.0MTRS. LIES 096/276 DEGS. STRONG MAGNETIC ANOMALY. DEBRIS EXTENDS 16MTRS S. WELL BROKEN. (GARDLINE, HI 961). AMEND WK 42MTRS. BR STD.
Last Amended Date Dec 8, 2003

Circumstances of loss

EX-GOODWOOD '36. BUILT IN 1928 BY J READHEAD & SON, SOUTH SHIELDS. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY DRAKE SHIPPING CO LTD. THREE BOILERS, TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE OF 423NHP, SINGLE SHAFT. PASSAGE ST JOHNS, NB, FOR HULL. CARGO STEEL AND WOOD. WAS INVOLVED IN COLLISION WITH USS WILLIAM B TRAVIS. AFTER HOLDS AND ENGINE AND BOILER ROOMS FLOODED. TAKEN IN TOW BUT SANK S OF PORTLAND BILL. SALVAGE OPERATIONS UNDERTAKEN BY RISDON BEASLEY IN 1960. (SIBI).

General Comments

UPRIGHT, INTACT

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 20.066 N,2 29.784 W
Merchant Royal on Wreck Map Merchant Royal Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the MERCHANT ROYAL wreck located?

The MERCHANT ROYAL wreck is located at coordinates 50 20.066 N,2 29.784 W.

How deep is the MERCHANT ROYAL and where exactly is it located?

The MERCHANT ROYAL lies at a depth of about 42 meters and is located at coordinates 50 20.066 N,2 29.784 W.

How deep is the seabed around the MERCHANT ROYAL?

The seabed around the MERCHANT ROYAL lies at approximately 54 meters deep.

When did the MERCHANT ROYAL sink?

The MERCHANT ROYAL sank on Jul 3, 1946.

When was the wreck of the MERCHANT ROYAL discovered?

The wreck of the MERCHANT ROYAL was discovered in 1946.

What country did the MERCHANT ROYAL belong to?

The MERCHANT ROYAL belonged to GB.

What cargo was the MERCHANT ROYAL carrying?

The MERCHANT ROYAL was carrying metal: concentrate and products,wood: unprocessed and products.

What was the tonnage of the MERCHANT ROYAL?

The MERCHANT ROYAL had a tonnage of 5008 tons.

What type of wreck is the MERCHANT ROYAL?

The MERCHANT ROYAL is classified as a steam ship.

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