Riversdale Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Riversdale Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 11.77 N,3 44.154 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.196167
  • Longitude: -3.735900
Wreck Depth 31 m
Water Depth 41 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name RIVERSDALE
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Length 96.9 m
Width 14.3 m
Draught 6.4
Sonar Length 108.3
Sonar Width 18.5
Shadow Height 7.8
Orientation 35
Tonnage 2805
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo coal
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Dec 18, 1917
Bottom Texture Sand
Scour Dimensions 0012.5,,001.9,265
Original Detection Year 1917
Last Detection Year 2013
Original Source unknown
Surveying Details H360/07 H360/07 WK PA CHARTED IN 501145N, 034330W. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED). BA 1613. H131/18 H131/18 WK LOCATED E HALF N 7.5C FROM PRAWLE PT SIG STATION LYING IN 18FMS. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED). H2502/51 25.1.52 H2502/51 25.1.52 LARGE WK IN 501142N, 034405W. LEAST DEPTH 17FMS. HEIGHT ABOVE SEABED 46FT. (HMS SEAGULL, 1950). NE 1613. H5413/60 29.4.63 H5413/60 29.4.63 WK, THOUGHT TO BE 'RIVERSDALE', FOUND. INTACT APART FROM BOWS. ON EVEN KEEL IN 501142N, 034403W. (BSAC TORQUAY). H5413/60 23.1.64 H5413/60 23.1.64 SALVAGE RIGHTS PURCHASED BY BSAC TORQUAY FROM M.O.T. (LTR DTD 2.12.63). H5413/60 19.1.65 H5413/60 19.1.65 POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED AS 'RIVERSDALE'. A 2.5FT SPOKED WHEEL STAMPED WITH THE HGMR SALVAGED BY BSAC TORBAY. (17.11.64) 12.1.70 12.1.70 SALVAGE DUE TO TAKE PLACE WINTER MONTHS 1969-1970 WITH EXPLOSIVES BY TORBAY BSAC. (TRITON MAGAZINE, FEB 1970). H2396/77 11.3.77 H2396/77 11.3.77 WK IN 501142N, 034409W USING DECCA. ABOUT 310FT LONG BY SONAR. LYING ABOUT NE/SW. BOWS NE. UPRIGHT. BEAM 44.5FT BY LINE. HATCH 16.5FT ACROSS. NO GOOD E/S RUN. SEABED 150-160FT APPROX, PROBABLY ROCKY. WK LIES IN A DEPRESSION WHICH IS NOT A SCOUR. SHIP IS BADLY DAMAGED FORWARD. IT IS BROKEN AT NUMBER ONE HOLD & THERE IS NO BOW. BUT FOR WRECKAGE BULKHEAD BETWEEN HOLDS 1 & 2 IS GONE & CARGO HAS LARGELY SPILLED OUT. HATCHES ARE ABOUT 30FT LONG. PROPELLER IS THERE BUT WAS NOT EXAMINED. THOUGHT TO BE THE COLLIER 'RIVERSDALE'. (RISDON BEASELY, 10.2.77). H1941/79 1.4.81 H1941/79 1.4.81 EXAM'D 12.11.80 IN 501144.4N, 034404.8W [OGB] USING TRISPONDER [2 LOP]. LEAST E/S DEPTH 30.6 IN GEN DEPTH 41MTRS. SCOUR 2MTRS DEEP ON W SIDE OF WK. LYING NE/SW, APPARENTLY INTACT & UPRIGHT. LENGTH APPROX 100MTRS. (HMS FOX, HI 54A/79). BR STD. H5982/82 10.2.83 H5982/82 10.2.83 WK SHOWN IN 501136N, 034404W ON KINGFISHER CHART K(SW)3 [1982 EDN]. NCA. H1941/79 29.10.86 H1941/79 29.10.86 OPERATION TO SALVAGE COAL CARGO BY EUROSALVE AND COASTLINE MARINE. (NEWSPAPER REPORT DTD 4.10.86). NCA. 2.9.98 2.9.98 LIES UPRIGHT, BOW BROKEN AWAY. IRON PROPELLER. (DIVER MAGAZINE, SEPT 1998). NCA. 6.10.99 6.10.99 UPRIGHT & STANDS 11MTRS PROUD. BOW BROKEN AWAY. BELL HAS BEEN RECOVERED. PROP IS IRON. (DIVER MAGAZINE, OCT 1999). NCA. 18.4.13 18.4.13 EXAM'D 6.1.13 IN 5011.770N, 0344.154W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 32.6 IN GEN DEPTH 41.5MTRS. LEAST W/C DEPTH 31.75MTRS. SCOUR 2.9MTRS EXTENDS 12.5MTRS TOWARDS 265 DEGS. LENGTH 108.3MTRS, WIDTH 18.5MTRS, HT 7.8MTRS. LIES 035/215 DEGS WITH BOWS NE. INTACT, WITH BOWS MISSING. (EMU, HI 1374). SCOUR ALONG SIDES OF WK. SEDIMENT BUILT UP AT BOTH SIDES. AMEND WK 31MTRS IN REVISED POSN.
Last Amended Date Apr 18, 2013

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN J BLUMER & CO, SUNDERLAND. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY R C THOMPSON. TWO BOILERS, TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE OF 249 NHP, SINGLE SHAFT. PASSAGE THE TYNE FOR SOVANA, ITALY. TORPEDOED BY UB-31. RUN ASHORE BY MASTER, BUKHEADS SHORED BUT SANK UPRIGHT WHEN TOWED OFF. ONE LIFE LOST. (SIBI, DODS, WW1SL & DIVER MAGAZINE SEPT 1998).

General Comments

UPRIGHT, BOW NE & BROKEN AWAY, SCOUR ALONG WK

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 11.77 N,3 44.154 W
Riversdale on Wreck Map Riversdale Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the RIVERSDALE wreck located?

The RIVERSDALE wreck is located at coordinates 50 11.77 N,3 44.154 W.

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

The RIVERSDALE lies at a depth of about 31 meters and is located at coordinates 50 11.77 N,3 44.154 W.

How deep is the seabed around the RIVERSDALE?

The seabed around the RIVERSDALE lies at approximately 41 meters deep.

When did the RIVERSDALE sink?

The RIVERSDALE sank on Dec 18, 1917.

When was the wreck of the RIVERSDALE discovered?

The wreck of the RIVERSDALE was discovered in 1917.

What country did the RIVERSDALE belong to?

The RIVERSDALE belonged to GB.

What cargo was the RIVERSDALE carrying?

The RIVERSDALE was carrying coal.

What was the tonnage of the RIVERSDALE?

The RIVERSDALE had a tonnage of 2805 tons.

What type of wreck is the RIVERSDALE?

The RIVERSDALE is classified as a steam ship.

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