Wreck Dives In Malta » Scuba World Diving Club

Hellespont

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Apr 272015

Access: Boat Dive
Depth: 41 metres

Interests: Wreck Diver

Wreck Statistics:
Hellespont had a bollard pull of 10 tons with a 1250 IHP and a compliment of 17 men. The wreck lies at a depth of 41 metres off Grand Harbour. First discovered by a team of divers on 15 May 1999.

Wreck History:
Hellespont was built by Earle Shipbuilding Co. and was launched on 10 May 1910. She was based at Haulbowline Dockyard, Queenstown in Ireland until 1922. She came to Malta in 1922 and was subsequently damaged by Italian aircraft on 7 September 1940 and was never repaired but laid up at Sheer Bastion (Macina). She was sunk on the 6th April 1942. It looks like the bow (15 metres or so of it was destroyed & missing from the wreck). After the war she was lifted by camels and dumped off the Grand Harbour.

: Hellespont

: Hellespont

: Hellespont

: Hellespont

: Hellespont

: Hellespont

HMS Southwold

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Apr 182013

HMS Southwold a Hunt Class destroyer of which the Royal Navy had 86 in its fleet, was built by White & was launched on the 25/5/41. Hunt Class destroyers had a net tonnage of 1050 tons, and were 86 meters long with a beam of 9.5 meters; these destroyers had a top speed of 25 knots and were used for convoy escorts. HMS Southwold had a crew of 168 men and carried 3 x 2 barrel 4” guns one at the bow and 2 aft sections. She also carried anti-aircraft guns, and anti-submarine depth charges. Continue reading »

Imperial Eagle

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Apr 152013

Wreck History :

The Imperial Eagle carried about 70 passengers and 10 cars. It made its maiden voyage in 1958 and was taken out of commission in 1968, her claim to fame being the sister ship to Jacques Cousteau’s ‘Calypso’. After about a 15 minute boat ride, you reach a buoy. Heading down the shot line to about 25 metres you can leave the line and swim across a valley to the wreck. Like so many of the wrecks in Malta, the Imperial Eagle sits upright on the sand looking absolutely fantastic. We toured right the way round her and through her corridors, ending up in what was the wheelhouse, of which only the wheel remains. We then left the wreck and swam through a small open cave along to a magnificent statue of Jesus Christ which was apparently blessed by Pope John Paul in 1990 and placed on the seabed to protect the fishermen of Malta. We saw a large shoal of amber jacks and a lone barracuda. At our 6 metre stop there were two baby triggerfish to amuse us. Continue reading »

HMS Stubborn – Qawra Point

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Mar 202013

The Dive:
The HMS Stubborn was scuttled in April 1945 after she was hit from a depth charge and lost her tail fin. Stubborn has dived down to 166m exceeding the limit depth of 90m because of this she has damage the hull distortion. Royal Navy scuttled the sub for ASDIC target, training naval officers listening on sonar devices to detect the presence of submarines.

St Elmo Bay – HMS Maori

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Mar 052013

Wreck History:

Malta’s most famous and historical wreck, this World War II destroyer was launched in 1937 and saw considerable action in her life, including valuable assistance with the defence of Malta. However, in 1942 she received a direct hit as a bomb exploded in her engine room whilst in the docks.

Bristol Beaufighter – Sliema

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Sep 152012

Wreck History:
The Beaufighter was introduced into Coastal Command as a strike fighter, where its gun armament was retained but rockets and torpedoes were added giving it an even greater fire power. The 5562 Beaufighters that were produced earned a considerable reputation in the Middle and Far East. After its withdrawal from operational use many Beaufighters were converted to target tug duties and in fact the last flight of the type in Royal Air Force service took place on 17 May 1960 when a TT10 made a final target towing flight from Seletar

Blenheim Bomber – MarsaScala

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Sep 152012

Wreck History:
Throughout World War II, Allied resources and manpower were always at a premium. At one point a squadron of Wellington Bombers were stationed in Malta, but their long range was much needed elsewhere. They were eventually replaced by much small 3 man Mark IV Blenheim. Although there remains no doubt that it is indeed a Blenheim, this aircraft’s specific identity and call sign are yet to be established. Continue reading »