Simplified Wreck Survey
Wreck Details: SS Stalheim Underwater Obstruction. The wreck of the SS Stalheim is located off the coast of Port Talbot, Wales, in the Bristol Channel. Current survey data confirms the position at 51 34.635 N, 3 49.715 W. The shipwreck remains a significant underwater obstruction with a least multibeam depth of 2.76 meters within a general depth of 6 meters. Structural survey findings describe the wreck as largely degraded with a total length of 81.3 meters, a width of 19.8 meters, and a height of 3.4 meters. The vessel lies in an orientation of 125/305 degrees with a scour length of 4.5 meters and a debris field extending towards 312 degrees. Historical records note the wreck site has been subject to multiple surveys since its sinking in 1940, including examinations by HMS Fox and Titan Surveys Ltd. The site is characterized by an uneven seabed and historical scouring, requiring caution for mariners navigating near Port Talbot.
Surveying Details
H0734/40 SUNK IN 513436N, 034941W OR 245 DEG, 6.8C FROM LT ON SEAWARD END OF PORT TALBOT PIER. - PFNM 2005/40. H0835/40 1.10.40 INS AS DW IN 513436N, 034941W. - NM 2390/40. H0734/40 28.4.41 G CONICAL BUOY, BELL, LAID 1C N OF WK. - TFNM 929/41. H0734/40 17.11.41 INS BUOY. - NM 2705/41. H0734/40 18.9.45 AMEND BUOY TO G CON. - NM 2861/45. H0734/40 11.11.49 AMEND TO WK 0FM 4FT AND AMEND BUOY TO G CON, BELL. - NM 2337/49. H1780/67 25.9.67 MOVE BUOY TO 1 C N OF WK. NM ACTION. 28.9.71 AMEND TO SW 1.2MTRS, WITH G CON, BELL, CLOSE N. (E8677). NC 1161. 28.7.72 AMEND TO SW 0.5MTR [LAT], WITH BUOY. H3804/72 31.7.72 BUOY REPLACED BY G CAN, BELL, RAREFL, LAID IN 513430N, 034948W. (TH 6.7.72). - NM 2057/73. H3804/72 3.5.77 LEAST DEPTH NOW 4.1MTRS. BUOY WITHDRAWN. (BTDB, 14.4.77). - NM 1095/77. H3804/72 27.5.77 BUOY PERMANENTLY REMOVED. (BTDB NM 27/4/77). H3804/72 1.7.80 LEAST DEPTH NOW 0.2MTRS. (LT KEILLER, HMS FOX, TELECON 25.6.80). NAVAREA I ISSUED. AWAIT CONFIRMATION. H3804/72 16.7.80 LOCATED 010 DEG, 40MTRS FROM CHARTED POSN IN 513437.44N, 034940.5W [OGB]. LEAST E/S DEPTH 0.2MTRS. SWEPT CLEAR 0.1MTR, FOUL 0.2MTR. (HMS FOX, HN DTD 25.6.80 & TELECON 16.7.80). AMEND TO SW 0.1MTR. - NM 1679/80. H3804/72 12.8.80 WIRE SWEEP NOT CONCLUSIVE DUE FISHING FLOATS. LEAST DEPTH 0.2MTR OBTAINED ON TWO OCCASIONS. DIVING EXAMINATION UNSATISFACTORY - VIS NIL AND HULL IN JAGGED CONDITION. (HMS FOX, HN 22.7.80). NCA. H1934/78 24.1.83 WK MAY HAVE ASSUMED A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE WITH A POSSIBLE DECREASE IN CLEARANCE. (BTDB, S WALES, NM). NCA. 11.7.83 NO FURTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE. RETAIN AS CHARTED. (DOCK MANAGER, BTDB SWANSEA, TELECON 11.7.83). H3941/88 22.6.90 EXAM'D 17.6.89 IN 513437.2N, 034939.2W [OGB] USING TRISPONDER [2 LOP]. LEAST E/S DEPTH 1.1 IN GEN DEPTHS 5.7 TO 6.9MTRS. SCOUR 0.7MTR DEEP. INTACT, LYING N/S. LENGTH 37MTRS BUT N END OF WK MAY BE BURIED IN MUD. NOT SWEPT DUE TO SHALLOW DEPTHS. RETAIN AS CHARTED. (HMS FAWN, HI 463). NCA. SEP 2018/000049886 3.7.18 EXAM'D 17.2.18; WK LOCATED IN 5134.635N, 0349.715W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 2.76MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 6MTRS, LENGTH 81.3MTRS, WIDTH, 19.8MTRS, HEIGHT 3.4MTRS, ORIENTATION 125/305 DEGS. SCOUR LENGTH 4.5MTRS, 0.5MTRS DEEP. DEBRIS FIELD TOWARDS 312 DEGS. WK IS MOSTLY DEGRADED. (TITAN SURVEYS LTD, HI 1576). AMEND DW 2.7MTRS IN REVISED POSN.