Western Farmer (Bow Section) Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Western farmer (bow section) Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		51 15.032 N,1 55.087 E
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 51.250533
  • Longitude: 1.918117
Wreck Depth 24.36 m
Water Depth 37 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION)
Type steam ship
Flag US
Length 128.9 m
Width 17.4 m
Draught 10.6
Sonar Length 62.2
Sonar Width 25.6
Shadow Height 13.7
Orientation 10
Tonnage 7239
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo coal
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Aug 20, 1952
Bottom Texture Sand
Original Detection Year 1952
Last Detection Year 2016
Original Source Lloyd's and Marine Underwriter's reports
Surveying Details H5312/52 16.9.52 BOW SUNK IN 511515N, 015448E. STERN HALF TOWED TO CALAIS. (ADMTY 21.8.52, TH & LLOYDS). CHART AS DW WITH G CONL LT BUOY, GPFL(3)G. - NM 1515/52 & FNM 90/52. H5312/52 23.3.54 AMEND BUOY TO G CONL, FLG, WITH RAREFL & TOP MARK, CLOSE W. (PARIS NM 54 05 26C). - NM 680/54 & FNM 35/54. H7012/54 29.6.59 LOCATED IN 511505N, 015510E. LEAST DEPTH 17MTRS. (PARIS NM 54 41 22). AMEND TO WK 9.25FMS IN 511505N, 015510E. - NM 2819/54 & FNM 122/54. 23.2.55 BUOY DELETED. (NAVEAM 5268). - NM 89/54. H4403/65 29.3.66 LOCATED IN 511456N, 015506E USING HIFIX [2 LOP]. OROPESA SWEEP - CLEAR AT 53FT. LEAST E/S DEPTH 65FT IN GEN DEPTH 120FT. SCOUR 130FT. GOOD SONAR CONTACT FROM ALL DIRNS. WK LIES APPROX N/S AND IS ABOUT 300FT LONG. (HMS MYRMIDON, H525 27.7.65). AMEND TO WK 8FMS 5FT. R/S. H4988/71 3.1.71 CONFIRMED THAT WK NO LONGER EXISTS IN 511515N, 015448E. AREA SWEPT IN GOOD CONDITIONS WITH DCS3. NOTHING FOUND. (HMS FAWN, H525 NO 17/71, SURVEY [K6274/9]). H6738/68 21.9.71 LOCATED IN 511505N, 015511E [EUR]. SWEPT CLEAR AT 10FMS 5FT. (HMS FOX HN 2/71). H4988/71 26.11.71 EXAM'D IN 511505N, 015511E [EUR] USING HIFIX [2 LOP]. SWEPT CLEAR AT 19.8MTRS [65FT], FOUL AT 20.2MTRS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 19.8MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 35MTRS [19FMS] [LAT]. NEGLIGIBLE SCOUR. GOOD ALL-ROUND CONTACT. (HMS FOX, H525 3/71). AMEND TO SW 10FMS 5FT IN 511500N, 015512E [OGB]. - NM 123/72. H2234/71 7.6.72 BOWS SECTION OF VERY LARGE SHIP CUT OFF VERY CLEAN. LOCATED USING DECCA. (GB DIVING SERVICES, JUNE 1972). 12.9.72 NOW CHARTED AS SW 19.8MTRS. NC 323. H2820/71 6.11.81 SHOWN AS WK 22MTRS IN 511509N, 015505E ON DUTCH SURVEY [K8495/9], FEB 1981. H7012/54 17.1.84 FR SURVEY REPORT, DTD 6.9.54, INDICATES WK WAS LYING ON STBD SIDE, WITH BOW S AND STBD ANCHOR LAID OUT. H4029/86 9.2.88 LOCATED 20.10.87 IN 511459N, 015512E [OGB] HYPERFIX BUT NOT FULLY SURVEYED. LEAST E/S DEPTH 23 IN GEN DEPTH 36-37MTRS. NO SCOUR. DCS3 HT 12.3MTRS, LENGTH 60MTRS, BREADTH 10MTRS. LYING 175/355DEGS. MAG ANOMALY SHOW IRON CONTENT OF ABT 2000TONNES. (NP 1016, HI 378). RETAIN AS CHARTED. H6344/87 2.12.88 EXAM'D 7.9.88 IN 511500N, 015512E [OGB] USING COMPOUND TRISPONDER/HYPERFIX. SWEPT CLEAR AT 24.3, FOUL AT 24.6MTRS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 24.3 IN GEN DEPTH 37-38MTRS. NO SCOUR. DCS3 HT 13.2MTRS, LENGTH ABOUT 75MTRS. LIES N/S AND IN ONE PIECE. SMOOTH E/S TRACE OBTAINED WHILE SWEEPING SUGGESTS WK LIES ON ITS SIDE. (NP 1016, HI 427). AMEND TO SW 24MTRS. - NM 3785/88. HH090/460/01 20.6.89 EXAM'D 29.4.89 IN 511459.5N, 015512E [OGB]. SWEPT CLEAR AT 24.6, FOUL AT 24.9MTRS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 24.7MTRS. NO SCOUR. LIES 005/185DEGS. LENGTH 70MTRS, WIDTH 18MTRS. (NP 1008, HI 460). WK REPORT NOT PROVIDED, DATA EXTRACTED FROM GRAPHICS. NCA. HH100/351/03 29.6.90 DIVED AND CONFIRMED AS BOWS OF LARGE CARGO VESSEL. LIES ON STARBOARD SIDE WITH LARGE HOLE NEAR STEM ON PORT (UPPER) SIDE. DECK VERY CLEAR - NO WINCHES. (J COULON, 22.5.90). HH091/159/01 - SEP 2007000064749 30.7.07 LOCATED 2.2.07 IN 5115.031N, 0155.088E [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST M/B DEPTH 24.71 IN GEN DEPTH 36.0MTRS. LENGTH 63.6MTRS, WIDTH 18MTRS, HT 11MTRS. LIES 004/184 DEGS WITH BOWS N. STRONG MAGNETIC ANOMALY. (OSAE, HI 1159). RETAIN WK SW 24MTRS IN REVISED POSN. - NM 4569/07. SEP2016/000181431 01.12.16 EXAM'D 30.07.16; IN 5115.032N, 0155.087E [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 24.36MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 37.7MTRS, LENGTH 62.2MTRS, WIDTH 25.6MTRS, HEIGHT 13.7MTRS, ORIENTATION 190/010 DEGS. SCOUR LENGTH 10.2MTRS, 1MTR DEEP, DIRECTION TOWARDS 257DEGS. WRECK APPEARS TO BE LARGELY INTACT, THE VESSEL IS LAID ON ITS PORT SIDE AND HAS MINIMAL DEBRIS. (EGS PIONEER, HI 1523). RETAIN DW 24MTRS IN REVISED POSN.
Last Amended Date Dec 1, 2016

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1943 BY BETHLEHEM FAIRFIELD SHIPYARD INC. ONWED AT TIME OF LOSS BY WASTERN NAVIGATION CORPORATION. TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE, SINGLE SHAFT. BROKE IN TWO FOLLOWING COLLISION WITH NORWEGIAN TANKER BJORGHOLM. BOW SECTION SANK. STERN TOWED TO CALAIS. (LL & SIBI).

General Comments

APPEARS TO BE LARGELY INTACT, VESSEL IS LAID ON ITS PORT SIDE, MINIMAL DEBRIS

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 51 15.032 N,1 55.087 E
Western Farmer (Bow Section) on Wreck Map Western Farmer (Bow Section) Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) wreck located?

The WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) wreck is located at coordinates 51 15.032 N,1 55.087 E.

How deep is the WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) and where exactly is it located?

The WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) lies at a depth of about 24.36 meters and is located at coordinates 51 15.032 N,1 55.087 E.

How deep is the seabed around the WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION)?

The seabed around the WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) lies at approximately 37 meters deep.

When did the WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) sink?

The WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) sank on Aug 20, 1952.

When was the wreck of the WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) discovered?

The wreck of the WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) was discovered in 1952.

What country did the WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) belong to?

The WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) belonged to US.

What cargo was the WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) carrying?

The WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) was carrying coal.

What was the tonnage of the WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION)?

The WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) had a tonnage of 7239 tons.

What type of wreck is the WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION)?

The WESTERN FARMER (BOW SECTION) is classified as a steam ship.

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