Rfa Darkdale Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Rfa darkdale Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		15 55.099 S,5 43.421 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: -15.918317
  • Longitude: -5.723683
Wreck Depth 30.02 m
Water Depth 42 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name RFA DARKDALE
Type tanker
Flag GB
Length 14.1 m
Width 18.6 m
Draught 10.1
Sonar Length 141.5
Sonar Width 45
Shadow Height 12
Orientation 47
Tonnage 8145
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo flammable liquids and gases,oil
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Oct 22, 1941
Bottom Texture Sand
Scour Dimensions 120.0,040.0,003.5,045
Original Detection Year 1941
Last Detection Year 2018
Original Source naval vessel
Markers Marked by buoy
Surveying Details H0388/42 27.1.42 VESSEL BROKEN IN TWO. STEM, STILL SHOWING, LYING 324.5DEG, 1014YDS FROM ST JAMES CH SPIRE. FOR'D HALF LYING 030/210DEGS & ABOUT 200FT LONG. AFTER PART LYING 049/229DEGS, WITH ABOUT 120FT BETWEEN THE TWO PARTS. TEMP G BUOY LAID CLOSE TO SEAWARD. (HMS MILFORD, DTD 19.11.41). CHART AS NDW. - NM 310/42. 27.11.41 WK SANK COMPLETELY ON 26/27.11.41. (GENERAL, ST HELENA, DTD 9.12.41). H0388/42 29.1.47 CHART G CAN, SQUARE TOPMARK, 290.5DEG, 3.52C FROM F.R. LT OFF COAL STORE. - NM 130/47. H0388/42 20.7.49 DELETE BUOY. - NM 646/51. H0388/42 26.1.60 DEPTH OVER WK CONFIRMED AS 10FMS. (MIN OF TRANSPORT). AMEND TO DWP 10FMS. NE 1769. H0388/42 31.5.84 EXAM'D 6.4.84 IN 151959S, 054334W USING HSA. LEAST E/S DEPTH 26 IN GEN DEPTH 42MTRS. SCOUR 1MTR DEEP. DCS3 HT 19.6MTRS. 'ON-TOP' LEAST DEPTH NOT OBTAINED DUE PROXIMITY OF FVS. WK LIES IN TWO SECTIONS, ORIENTATED 045/225DEG. OIL CONTINUES TO SEEP SLIGHTLY FROM WK. (HMS HERALD, DTD 26.4.84). AMEND TO DWP 12FMS (IN TWO SECTIONS). - NM 1554/84. H2313/85 26.2.86 EXAM'D 2.7.85 IN 155450.4S, 054344.7W [LADDER HILL ASTRO DATUM]. BROKEN IN TWO SECTIONS. W SECTION ORIENTATED WSW/ENE IS ABOUT 61MTRS LONG WITH LEAST E/S DEPTH 17.8MTRS IN QUOTED POSN. E SECTION ORIENTATED SW/NE IS ABOUT 84MTRS LONG. VESSEL APPARENTLY LYING ON ITS SIDE AND INTACT. OIL CONTINUES TO SEEP. DCS3 HT 23.4MTRS IN GEN DEPTHS 40-42MTRS. NO SCOUR. (HMS HERALD, HI 280). ACTUAL LIMITS OF AREA OF WRECKAGE SHOWN ON K 9743/1. AMEND TO DWP 9FMS 4FT IN 155458.5S, 054335W. - NM 1292/86. HH448/410/01 12.7.93 WK EXAM'D 15.4.93 FOLLOWING REPORT THAT RMS 'ST HELENA' LOST ANCHOR IN VICINITY OF WK. SURVEY USING TRISPONDERS & DCS3. LEAST E/S DEPTH 19.1MTRS OBTAINED IN 155458N, 054226.5W. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT WK REMAINS IN CHARTED POSN. (HMS HECLA, HN DTD 15.5.93). NCA. 27.1.94 [WGD] POSN RECALCULATED TO BE 155507.5S, 054327W. NC 1771. HH100/351/13 8.7.98 LOCATED & DIVED IN 155505S, 054326.5W [WGD] USING GPS. LEAST DEPTH BY DIVE COMPUTER 32MTRS TO HULL IN GEN DEPTH 35MTRS. THE AFT SECTION OF THE WK LIES ON ITS PORT SIDE, WHILE THE BOW IS BROKEN AWAY & LIES UPSIDE DOWN. THE WHOLE WK IS 463FT LONG. BOW LIES ON BEARING OF 240DEGS (M), STERN ON 250DEGS (M). THERE IS CONTINUOUS OIL SEEPAGE BUT NO OBVIOUS SITE FROM WHICH THE OIL IS LEAKING. (RAF SAC, LTR DTD 30.6.98). NCA. 1.10.05 SHOWN AS DWP WITH FOLLOWING LIMITS [WGD]: [A] 1555.118S, 0542.477W; [B] 1555.077S, 0543.377W; [C] 1555.114S, 0543.386W; [D] 1555.140S, 0543.465W. NE 1771. SEP 2013/000055139 15.2.13 LOCATED WITH LEAST DEPTH IN 1555.084S, 0543.396W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 29.9 IN GEN DEPTH 41MTRS. IN TWO PARTS: BOW SECTION LENGTH 78MTRS, WIDTH 20MTRS, LIES 030/210 DEGS & STERN PART LENGTH 58MTRS, WIDTH 15MTRS, LYING 045/225 DEGS. (HMS PROTECTOR, HN DTD 12.10.12). AMEND DWP 29.5MTRS WITH LIMITS: 1555.100S, 0543.429W; 1555.068N, 0543.393W; 1555.074S, 0543.380W; 1555.116S, 0543.406W; 1555.129S, 0543.457W & 1555.111S, 0543.462W. INS AS WK 29.9MTRS. (RT DECISION). - NM 1790/13. SEP 2018/000280205 26.11.18 EXAM'D 11.12.18; WRECK LOCATED IN 1555.077S, 0543.393W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 30.02MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 41MTRS. IN TWO PARTS: STERN HALF LIES ON ITS PORT SIDE, BOW HALF LIES WITH THE HULL FACING UP. LENGTH 141.5MTRS, WIDTH 45MTRS, HT 12MTRS, ORIENTATION 047 DEGREES. SCOUR DIMENSIONS LENGTH 120MTRS, WIDTH 40MTRS, 3.5MTRS DEEP TOWARDS 45 DEGS. (UKHO SURVEY TEAM, H525 HI1603). AMEND WK 30.02MTRS IN REVISED POSN.
Last Amended Date May 23, 2019
Limits

Circumstances of loss

EX-EMPIRE OIL. BUILT IN 1940 BY BLYTHSWOOD SHIPBUILDING CO. OIL ENGINE OF 490 NHP, SINGLE SHAFT. TORPEDOED BY U-68. 39 CREW & TWO MILITARY KILLED. CARRIED 3000 TONS FUEL OIL, 850 TONS AVIATION GASOLINE, 500 TONS DIESEL & LUBRICATING OIL. (WW2SL, AXIS SUBMARINE SUCCESSES, DODS & WRECKSITE.EU).

General Comments

BOW INVERTED, STERN LIES ON ITS PORT SIDE, SHOALEST POINT LIES ON BOW NE

Limits: features shown as areas and not points

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 15 55.099 S,5 43.421 W
Rfa Darkdale on Wreck Map Rfa Darkdale Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the RFA DARKDALE wreck located?

The RFA DARKDALE wreck is located at coordinates 15 55.099 S,5 43.421 W.

How deep is the RFA DARKDALE and where exactly is it located?

The RFA DARKDALE lies at a depth of about 30.02 meters and is located at coordinates 15 55.099 S,5 43.421 W.

How deep is the seabed around the RFA DARKDALE?

The seabed around the RFA DARKDALE lies at approximately 42 meters deep.

When did the RFA DARKDALE sink?

The RFA DARKDALE sank on Oct 22, 1941.

When was the wreck of the RFA DARKDALE discovered?

The wreck of the RFA DARKDALE was discovered in 1941.

What country did the RFA DARKDALE belong to?

The RFA DARKDALE belonged to GB.

What cargo was the RFA DARKDALE carrying?

The RFA DARKDALE was carrying flammable liquids and gases,oil.

What was the tonnage of the RFA DARKDALE?

The RFA DARKDALE had a tonnage of 8145 tons.

What type of wreck is the RFA DARKDALE?

The RFA DARKDALE is classified as a tanker.

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