SS Thistlegorm is a monument, a war grave, a museum and a must-visit Red Sea site that should be on every diver’s bucket-list.
An eerie yet enthralling dive, this vessel provides one of the best underwater experiences you could hope for and is renowned by divers worldwide as one of the finest wrecks you can see.
Clearly still visible on this British merchant navy ship are items ranging in size from tanks, trucks and jeeps to boots and rifles. It is a fascinating dive on which you can still see things as they were when the boat sank in 1941. And that’s what draws people in.
Indeed, we heard of a couple some years ago who specifically learned to dive so they could come to Thistlegorm and see the two rare locomotives – blown clear of the ship by the power of the explosion – to add to their list of trains spotted!
Because it is so interesting, Thistlegorm can be a popular attraction which makes visiting from a liveaboard by far the best way to see it. On our itineraries Famous Five, Get Wrecked or Reefs & Wrecks, we try to do a night dive so we get there when the crowds from earlier in the day have all gone home.
And even those who have been to the vessel many times before claim they are constantly finding new experiences there – be it finding a different bit of machinery or chancing across a sleepy turtle hiding away.
So, it is a must-visit. But what is it and why is it there?
SS Thistlegorm was built in 1940, in Sunderland, by Joseph Thompson & Sons.
Initially intended to transport goods across the Atlantic during World War II, the ship was repurposed to carry vital war supplies due to the increasing demands of the war. At 126.5m long and with a cargo capacity of 4,898 gross tons, it was armed with anti-aircraft guns to protect against enemy attacks.
In June 1941, Thistlegorm embarked on what would be its final voyage. The ship was loaded with a diverse cargo that included vehicles, munitions, aircraft parts, and other military equipment, all destined for Allied forces in North Africa.
Having passed up the coast of east Africa, she was instructed to wait at a safe anchorage near the Gulf of Suez, as the entry to the Suez Canal was congested with ships following a collision.
Early in the morning of October 6, while at anchor, Thistlegorm was attacked by two German Heinkel He 111 bombers. The Luftwaffe aircraft were part of a mission seeking out Allied convoys but happened upon the anchored vessel instead.
One of the bombs struck the stern, causing a massive explosion in the area where the ammunition was stored. The blast was so powerful that it tore the ship in two and sent it to the seabed within minutes, claiming the lives of nine crew members – four sailors and five Royal Navy gunners.
The wreck remained largely forgotten until it was rediscovered by Jacques Cousteau in the early 1950s when he documented it and recovered some items.
Even then it was not until several decades later, when Sharm el Sheikh started to develop as a popular diving destination, that Thistlegorm came to wider world attention.
The wreck lies at a depth of approximately 30 metres and attracts divers of all skill levels – although its depth and potential for strong currents do mean it is perhaps more suited to advanced divers.
Another aspect is this is not just a historical treasure; it has become a vibrant artificial reef teeming with life. All around this relic of World War II hostilities is an abundance of fresh life with large schools of fish and the likes of moray eels and even reef sharks.
For so many reasons, it is a must-visit – and probably must-return – site for any diver.
Join us on one of our fantastic northern Red Sea itineraries to experience the incredible spectacle that is SS Thistlegorm. Find out more on our website or email our team on [email protected] and they will be very pleased to help you in any way.