"From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free."
Jacques-Yves Cousteau

S.S. Turbo - Red Sea   

 

Built at Sunderland in 1912 by J.D.LAING for the Anglo Saxon Petroleum Co. the 4900 ton, 374 ft “contempary plated, fitted for carrying liquid fuel in bulk, machinery aft”. The records also show her engine specification, built by DICKINSONS as “3 cylinder triple expansion engine” and out-fittings by R.C. CRAGGS of HARTLEPOOL  On August 20th 1941 she was attached by German aircraft while en route from Haifa to Alexandria with a cargo of 7500 tons of Admiralty fuel. She arrived at Port Said on the 21st, her 42 crew and 10 gunners all saved. After discharging her cargo and damage made good, her armament was removed and she left Suez on April 1st 1942 for Aden in tow of the GLADYS MOLLER (sister-ship of the Rosalie Moller) destined to be used as a fuel storage hulk. On the 4th April as they neared Ras Banas (reported position puts them approximately 15 miles north) she ship broke in two, presumably from the damage sustained in the bombing, and cast adrift due to heavy weather. The forepart of the ship was deliberately sunk as it was deemed a danger to shipping and the afterpart “presumed to have foundered” The hull now lies on a sandy Bed in 28 mtrs very close to the reef face on its port side. The starboard side is in about 18 mtrs while the port side almost touches the sand. The stern faces northwest. The break in the hull is from the rear of the centre island which sank with the fore section. The raised walkway runs aft to the engine room and accommodation island and the cross members are covered in corals and home to multitude of fish. The helm direction indicator is intact and stands proud on her aft deck and although her rudder was removed the prop can still be seen partially buried in the sand. Judging from her intact fittings, handrails and portholes, few have been here before, if at all. The engine room is huge, easy to explore and totally intact. It is possible to explore three floors down into the heart of the ship Gauges, valves piping, dials notices, (one reads “water 1/3 above combustion when show in glass in all engines”) gratings and handrails are all intact. There are many rooms and a workshop, galley, weather deck and companionways to explore. There are even oilcans and watering cans! Lifeboat davits, handrails and stairwells provide great backdrops for photography. Fascinating marine life including vast numbers of the Pixie Hawkish, a rare sighting anywhere else but here the Major Dominus of the wreck. When we got there the vis was stunning but sadly the aft mast which used to reach up close to the surface has been snapped in two   Here is some video I took of the wreck.  I hope you like it.