Fay Singpoint Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 A recent diving holiday to the Red Sea gave me the opportunity to dive the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm. From a railway interest perspective the cargo included two Stanier 8F locomotives and tenders, and two 6 wheeled tankers for use as water carriers. This was all intended for use on Egyptian Railways. The SS Thistlegorm sank on 6th October 1941 after being hit by bombs dropped from enemy aircraft.. The locomotives, which were blown clear of the deck, lie in 30 metres of water either side of the ship. The weather was cloudy so the lack of sunlight made for some gloomy conditions on the sea bed. An overall picture of one of the engines. This is the closest locomotives to the ship (about a 30 metre swim) Right hand front buffer complete with the remains of someones mooring rope. Left hand cylinder block. The remains of the left hand valve gear complete with front axle. Smoke box. Both tenders are still secured to the deck of the ship The tenders are located toward the front of the ship. The locomotives were originally located toward the rear of the ship and were thrown clear because (apparently) that is where the bombs hit and and exploded part of the cargo of ammunition. One of the two 6 wheel tankers still secured to the deck of the ship. Apparently the tankers were already sealed shut when the ship went down hence they were crushed over a period of time by the pressure of the depth of water. The other end. This tanker has square buffers! Going off topic but continuing my brief tour. Penetrating the hull we come across this wash basin. Yes it is full of water but not much use for washing…. One of the two deck guns. My buddy for the tour. Rifle containers (apparently) Total dive time was 45 minutes. I am already planning another trip because here is still so much more to see. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldgunner Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Be interesting to know if the loco's were ever steamed, or simply shipped straight out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Worsdell forever Posted February 4, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 4, 2013 Be interesting to know if the loco's were ever steamed, or simply shipped straight out. Not sure they would pass a boiler test now though... but I'm sure worse has come out of Barry Cracking photos Emma. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
69843 Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 OK, who's up for a restoration job! Brilliant pictures Emma. The shots provide a unique viewpoint of what happened when things went wrong in the operating conditions of WWII, and to still be able to see the items being transported relitivly intact is quite wonderful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay Singpoint Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 Here are some more photographs of one the tenders. We didn't get much time to look in detail at the locomotive because of the depth (30m) which doesn't give much "no-stop" time as I was on a normal air mix. I can talk about "no-stop" times and the bends some other time. . As mentioned previously, the tenders are still secured to the deck of the ship at about 20m which gives a more relaxed dive time. 9 souls lost their lives when the ship went down so the wreck is classified as a war grave and is therefore to be respected as such. This means only taking pictures and only leaving bubbles.... The distinctive outline of one of the tenders. Step and axle box detail (and the fin of another diver). Step and axle box detail. The coal space. It looks as though the fire bars were removed from the fire box and stored in the tender along with some spare parts or tools. Any ideas???? At least I now know what to look out for on my next trip back to the Red Sea.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldgunner Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Remarkable pictures! Looks like one of the con-rods in the tender. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
69843 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Again, facinating shots Emma. That actually looks like a coupling rod on the right of the coal space as well. EDIT: Darn it! Beaten to the post again (that's what happens when you take a break). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium kevinlms Posted February 18, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 18, 2013 Fascinating photos. Thanks very much! I believe that more than one ship went down carrying 8F's, is it accessible like this? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay Singpoint Posted February 19, 2013 Author Share Posted February 19, 2013 I believe that more than one ship went down carrying 8F's, is it accessible like this? Hi, The Thistlegorm is the only one I know of that is diveable although the 30m depth of the locomotives is getting near the safe limits of recreational diving so you have to keep a very close eye on the dive time. I do believe there are some loco's and a lever frame somewhere in the Atlantic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyneux Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Here are a few of my pics of the tenders and tank wagons from a dive this week. I was told by another diver that the tenders are actually welded to the deck. Can anyone confirm this? Clearly the port tank wagon is in a dangerous state as it's about to fall into the forward hold. Starboard tender: Starboard tender: Starboard tank wagon: Starboard tank wagon: Port tank wagon: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Corbs Posted November 7, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 7, 2015 I see the GWS has already raided the wreck, judging by the fact the 8F has no boiler... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamperman36 Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Is it just me but aren't those tankers actually 4 wheeled. I can only see 2 sets of W irons and axle boxes the central part is the brake rodding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyneux Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Yes I can confirm they are 4 wheeled (just look at my picture!). I'm not sure why the OP thought they were 6 wheeled? Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward66 Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 They're just the usual 14T tankers. The tenders look to be all in one piece but I'm sure they will simply be rust sculptures by now in that warm and salty environment, interesting to see though. I should imagine some of the castings like axleboxes etc. would possibly be alright but not worth the expense of getting them off. Edward Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogman1969 Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 There's a couple of 8fs in the bristol channel too , came off the deck of a ship in a storm ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted April 24, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 24, 2017 Railway Magazine done an article on railway locomotives lost at sea a few years ago. Apart from war losses there have been few if any in recent years largely due to more advanced marine navigation techniques. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium New Haven Neil Posted April 24, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 24, 2017 They have dropped the odd one onto a quayside of course! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jongudmund Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 Fascinating thread, this. And great pictures. Thanks for sharing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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