Samtampa Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category wreck showing any portion of hull or superstructure
Samtampa Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		51 30.078 N,3 44.972 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 51.501300
  • Longitude: -3.749533
Water Depth -4 m
Water Level Effect covers and uncovers
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name SAMTAMPA
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Length 128.9 m
Width 17.4 m
Draught 10.7
Tonnage 7219
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo ballast
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Apr 23, 1947
Bottom Texture Rock
Original Detection Year 1947
Last Detection Year 1993
Original Source other
Last Amended Date Aug 27, 2005

Simplified Wreck Survey

The historic shipwreck of the Samtampa lies off Sker Point near Port Talbot on the Welsh coast, with current coordinates 51 30.078 N, 3 44.972 W. Originally aground and a total loss following a tragic historical incident, subsequent marine surveys located the remains in shallow waters near a rocky ledge. The site features structural remains, including an engine block standing two meters high amid general depths of 1.6 meters, accompanied by small, widely distributed pieces of wreckage scattered across the seabed.

Surveying Details

H2498/50 12.12.50 AGROUND AT SKER POINT, NEAR PORT TALBOT. TOTAL LOSS. (DODS). INS AS ST IN 513007N, 034446W. NC 1161. H4748/74 21.1.75 NOT LOCATED USING SONAR. (HMS WOODLARK, HI 32/74). DELETED. BR STD. HH090/522/01 29.11.93 LOCATED AUG 1993 IN 513003N, 034454W [OGB]. THE ENGINE BLOCK STANDS 2MTRS HIGH IN GEN DEPTH 1.6MTRS ALONGSIDE A ROCKY LEDGE. SMALL WIDELY DISTRIBUTED PIECES OF WRECKAGE LIE NEARBY. A SMALL MEMORIAL TO THIS TRADEGY IN WHICH ALL CREW WERE LOST AND TO THE CREW OF THE MUMBLES LIFEBOAT, WHICH ALSO SANK, WAS ERECTED ON THE BEACH NEARBY IN 1992. PHOTOS SUPPLIED. (HMS BULLDOG, HI 522). INS AS ST. BR STD. [PHOTOS HELD IN PRESS ARTICLES BRANCH FOLDER]. 29.9.05 29.9.05 EUT POSN: 5130.078N, 0344.972W. NE 1169.

Circumstances of loss

VESSEL, EX-PALEG WADSWORTH, BUILT IN 1943 BY NEW ENGLAND SHIPBUILDING CO., PORTLAND, USA, WITH 3 CYLINDER TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE & 2 BOILERS. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY HOULDER BROTHERS & CO. LTD. ON PASSAGE FROM MIDDLESBOROUGH FOR NEWPORT. ANCHORED IN SWANSEA BAY IN FOG, DRAGGED ANCHORS IN GALE AND GROUNDED ON SKER PT. CREW OF 39 WERE RESCUED BY MUMBLES LIFEBOAT WHICH THEN CAPSIZED WITH TOTAL LOST OF 47 LIVES. (SIBI & DODS). PHOTOS OF STRANDED VESSEL IN SIBI & SHIPWRECKS OF THE BRISTOL CHANNEL.

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 51 30.078 N,3 44.972 W
Samtampa on Wreck Map Samtampa Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the SAMTAMPA wreck located?

The SAMTAMPA wreck is located at coordinates 51 30.078 N,3 44.972 W.

When did the SAMTAMPA sink?

The SAMTAMPA sank on Apr 23, 1947.

When was the wreck of the SAMTAMPA discovered?

The wreck of the SAMTAMPA was discovered in 1947.

What country did the SAMTAMPA belong to?

The SAMTAMPA belonged to GB.

What cargo was the SAMTAMPA carrying?

The SAMTAMPA was carrying ballast.

What was the tonnage of the SAMTAMPA?

The SAMTAMPA had a tonnage of 7219 tons.

What type of wreck is the SAMTAMPA?

The SAMTAMPA is classified as a steam ship.

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