description SS Thistlegorm Overview
SS Thistlegorm was a British Merchant Navy armed freighter built in 1940 and operated by the Albyn Line for wartime transport between Britain and the Middle East. In October 1941, while at anchor awaiting transit through the Suez Canal, she was attacked and sunk by two German Heinkel He 111 bombers operating from bases in occupied Greece. Her cargo included military vehicles, ammunition, aircraft parts, and locomotives destined for British forces. The wreck, rediscovered by Jacques Cousteau in the 1950s, lies in the northern Red Sea near Ras Muhammad and is widely visited by recreational scuba divers due to its depth and the preserved cargo.
insights Ranking position
SS Thistlegorm ranks #36 of 186 in the Shipwreck ranking, behind HMS Prince of Wales, ahead of USS Hornet (CV-8).
help SS Thistlegorm FAQ
What cargo can divers still see inside the SS Thistlegorm?
The wreck contains wartime cargo including motorcycles, trucks, rifles, railway equipment, and other military supplies. Norton, BSA, and Matchless motorcycles are among its most recognizable submerged artifacts.
How was the SS Thistlegorm sunk?
German Heinkel He 111 bombers attacked the anchored freighter in October 1941 near the entrance to the Gulf of Suez. Bombs struck around the fourth cargo hold, and exploding ammunition helped tear the ship apart.
Did Jacques Cousteau discover the SS Thistlegorm wreck?
Jacques Cousteau's team located and documented the wreck in the 1950s with help from information supplied by local fishermen. His expedition made it internationally known, although Red Sea dive operators later had to relocate it after its position was no longer widely remembered.
Is the SS Thistlegorm suitable for beginner scuba divers?
The wreck lies in recreational diving depths, but currents, boat traffic, enclosed cargo holds, and penetration routes add risk. Divers normally visit it from Sharm el-Sheikh or on Red Sea liveaboards, with experience requirements set by the operator.
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