Sun Vii Wreck
| Field |
Value |
| Wreck Category |
dangerous wreck |
Sun vii Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM)
|
51 32.82 N,1 7.131 E |
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
|
- Latitude: 51.547000
- Longitude: 1.118850
|
| Wreck Depth |
0.9 m
|
| Water Depth |
5 m
|
| Water Level Effect |
always under water/submerged |
| Vertical Datum |
Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide |
| Name |
SUN VII |
|
Type
|
tug
|
| Flag |
GB |
| Length |
32 m |
| Width |
7.6 m |
| Draught |
3.7 |
| Sonar Length |
21 |
| Orientation |
22 |
| Tonnage |
202 |
| Tonnage Type |
gross |
| Conspic Visual |
not visually conspicuous |
| Conspic Radar |
not radar conspicuous |
| Date Sunk |
Mar 6, 1941
|
| Original Detection Year |
1941 |
| Last Detection Year |
2003 |
| Original Source |
published World War 2 losses |
| Last Amended Date |
Feb 26, 2007 |
Simplified Wreck Survey
The shipwreck SUN VII is an underwater obstruction located off the coast of Essex in the Thames Estuary at coordinates 51 32.82 N, 1 7.131 E. Originally stranded in 1941, the wreck has undergone significant structural changes over the decades. Historical surveys describe the vessel as approximately 70 feet long, lying in a NNE/SSW orientation. While early reports identified it as a mostly intact wreck with a distinct boiler, later inspections in 1984 confirmed the structure had broken up and become heavily silted and encroached by sand. Subsequent diving expeditions in 1993 noted the wreck lying on its port side, deeply buried in silt. A 2003 survey failed to relocate the obstruction using side-scan sonar, indicating the wreck has significantly deteriorated or is fully submerged under the seabed in a general water depth of 3 meters. No significant scour marks remain, suggesting the site is now mostly flat sand.
Surveying Details
H0112/41 22.3.41 STRANDED IN 513242N, 010724E. (ADMIRALTY). - PFNM 683/41. H01112/41 28.4.41 INS ST IN 513242N, 010724E. - NM 934/41. H01112/41 6.11.46 LEAST DEPTH NOW 1FT IN 513247N, 010715E. (SML 5). H01112/41 7.11.46 WIRE DRAG SWEEP, CLEAR AT 0FT, FOUL AT 1FT. GEN DEPTH 10FT. SCOUR 20FT. POSN 513254N, 010713E. (HMS FRANKLIN, 28.7.46). AMEND TO WK 0FMS 1FT. - NM 3700/46. H01112/41 10.9.57 EXAM'D IN 513247N, 010714E USING HSA. SWEPT CLEAR AT 0FT, FOUL AT 1FT IN GEN DEPTH 14FT. LEAST DEPTH BY E/S 2FT. SCOUR 18FT. SEABED SAND. ISOLATED WK STANDING WELL OFF BOTTOM. SWIRL AT LW. (ECES SWEEP REPORT, 30.8.57). H782/62 14.3.62 FOUND WHILST SOUNDING. LEAST E/S DEPTH 2FT, SCOUR 24FT. (ISS, 1961). H2813/60 3.5.66 E/S & A/S SWEEP ON 23.9.65. LEAST DEPTH BY E/S 18FT IN GEN DEPTH 27FT. SCOUR 33FT. GOOD A/S CONTACT. (HMS ENTERPRISE, H525). 27.1.69 SHOWN AS F ON NE 1607. H2813/60 10.7.73 EXAM'D IN 513247N, 010713E USING HSA. SWEPT CLEAR AT 3.2FT, FOUL AT 4.5FT IN GEN DEPTH 16FT. SCOUR 21FT. LEAST E/S DEPTH 4FT [LAT]. BOTTOM UNDULATING. APPROX 70FT LONG, LYING NNE/SSW. (PLA SWEEP REPORT 1/73, 30.6.73). AMEND TO SW 0FMS 3FT. - NM 1453/73. 27.9.73 AMEND TO SW 0.9MTRS [LAT]. NC 1607. H1284/84/219 22.8.84 WK COMPLETELY BROKEN UP WITH ONLY BOILER INTACT. ENCROACHED BY SAND. (G LIVERMORE). 10.4.90 LOCATED, NOT EXAMINED. (PLA WK/OB REPORT 1987). HH100/351/07 19.10.93 DIVED ON IN 513248N, 010708.5E. LIES NNE/SSW ON ITS PORT SIDE. VERY SILTED UP. (J CARSON, 1.10.93). 26.2.07 EXAM'D 29.7.03 IN 5132.8202N, 0107.1312E [WGD]. NOT LOCATED BY DCS3. GEN DEPTH NOW 3MTRS. NO INDICATION OF SCOUR. (PLA WK RECORD DTD 13.12.04). AMEND POSN. BR STD.
Circumstances of loss
BUILT IN 1918. HIRED 9.1939. MINED. (WW2SL & COLLEDGE).
WRECK MAP LOADING ...
51 32.82 N,1 7.131 E
Sun Vii on Wreck Map
Sun Vii Wreck on Google Map
FAQ
Where is the SUN VII wreck located?
The SUN VII wreck is located at coordinates 51 32.82 N,1 7.131 E.
How deep is the SUN VII and where exactly is it located?
The SUN VII lies at a depth of about 0.9 meters and is located at coordinates 51 32.82 N,1 7.131 E.
How deep is the seabed around the SUN VII?
The seabed around the SUN VII lies at approximately 5 meters deep.
When did the SUN VII sink?
The SUN VII sank on Mar 6, 1941.
When was the wreck of the SUN VII discovered?
The wreck of the SUN VII was discovered in 1941.
What country did the SUN VII belong to?
The SUN VII belonged to GB.
What was the tonnage of the SUN VII?
The SUN VII had a tonnage of 202 tons.
What type of wreck is the SUN VII?
The SUN VII is classified as a tug.
General Comments
ON PORT SIDE, BROKEN UP, PROBABLY BURIED