South America Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
South america Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		51 55.62 N,3 58.51 E
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 51.927000
  • Longitude: 3.975167
Wreck Depth 2.3 m
Water Depth 6 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name SOUTH AMERICA
Type steam ship
Flag LR
Length 134.6 m
Width 17.4 m
Draught 7.7
Tonnage 5361
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo foodstuffs: solid
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Feb 14, 1966
Bottom Texture Sand
Original Detection Year 1966
Last Detection Year 2022
Original Source national HO/authority notice to mariners
Surveying Details H2701/66 21.7.66 ST IN 515540N, 035833E. (HAGUE NM 2088/66). - NM 1347/66. H2701/66 7.4.67 NOW DW. (HAGUE NM 721/67). - NM 702/67. H2701/66 11.5.67 WK MARKED BY G CAN BUOY 2 TRIANGULAR TOPMARKS APEX TO APEX BEARING 292.5 DEGS 1.5C FM WK. (HAGUE NM 1046/67). - NM 936/67. HH340/530/07 24.7.02 NOW WK 2.5MTRS IN 5155.62N, 0358.51E [WGD]. (NETHERLANDS NM 28/362/02). - NM 3912/02. HH340/530/07 20.11.02 NETHERLANDS NM 28/362/02 RE-ISSUED FOR CHART 2322. (NETHERLANDS NM 37/474/02). - NM 60/03. HH340/530/07 17.2.03 ACTION AT NM 3912/02 INCORRECT. AMEND TO WK USC 2.5MTRS. - NM 1412/03. 14.9.07 SHOWN AS WK USC 2.3MTRS WITH BUOY ON NETHERLANDS 110 [2007 EDN CO-PRODUCTION]. NE 110. 12.9.08 SHOWN AS WK USC 2.3MTRS [LAT], MARKED BY UNLIT W CARD PILLAR LT BUOY, 'S.AM', 1.5C WNW ON NETHERLANDS NM BLOCK 37/410/08. - NM 5658/08. SEP 2011/000014946 25.1.11 BUOY DELETED. (NETH NM 3/55/11). - NM 606/11.
Last Amended Date Aug 15, 2022

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1947 BY SHORT BROS. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY EMPIRE SHIPPING CORPORATION. PASSAGE CHIMBOTE, PERU, FOR ROSTOCK. CARGO FISH MEAL. A FIERCE FIRE BROKE OUT IN NO 4 HOLD AFTER THE CARGO WAS REPORTED TO BE OVERHEATING. VESSEL LARGELY ABANDONED AND TAKEN IN TOW. DURING THE NIGHT OF 12 FEB THE FIRE BECAME SO INTENSE THAT THE TUGS WERE FORCED TO BACK AWAY AS THE VESSEL WAS COVERED FROM STEM TO STERN WITH FLAMES. TWO DAYS LATER THEY PUT THE VESSEL AGROUND ON MAASVLAKTE. AN INSPECTION ON 21 FEB SHOWED THE WK TO BE STILL SMOULDERING WITH ALL HOLDS AND THE ENGINE AND BOILER ROOMS FLOODED. THE SHELL PLATING WAS BADLY BUCKLED AND THE WHOLE VESSEL FIRE GUTTED. IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS THE WK BROKE INTO THREE SECTIONS IN HEAVY SEAS. ABANDONED AS CTL.

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 51 55.62 N,3 58.51 E
South America on Wreck Map South America Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the SOUTH AMERICA wreck located?

The SOUTH AMERICA wreck is located at coordinates 51 55.62 N,3 58.51 E.

How deep is the SOUTH AMERICA and where exactly is it located?

The SOUTH AMERICA lies at a depth of about 2.3 meters and is located at coordinates 51 55.62 N,3 58.51 E.

How deep is the seabed around the SOUTH AMERICA?

The seabed around the SOUTH AMERICA lies at approximately 6 meters deep.

When did the SOUTH AMERICA sink?

The SOUTH AMERICA sank on Feb 14, 1966.

When was the wreck of the SOUTH AMERICA discovered?

The wreck of the SOUTH AMERICA was discovered in 1966.

What country did the SOUTH AMERICA belong to?

The SOUTH AMERICA belonged to LR.

What cargo was the SOUTH AMERICA carrying?

The SOUTH AMERICA was carrying foodstuffs: solid.

What was the tonnage of the SOUTH AMERICA?

The SOUTH AMERICA had a tonnage of 5361 tons.

What type of wreck is the SOUTH AMERICA?

The SOUTH AMERICA is classified as a steam ship.

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